Pennyroyal: Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance

Meaning
Name of a mint-family herb historically used to repel fleas
Origin
Anglo-Norman/Latin
Gender
Girl
Pronunciation
pen-ee-ROY-ul

Pennyroyal is an Anglo-Norman/Latin girl's name meaning “Name of a mint-family herb historically used to repel fleas”. It appears in 3 of our baby name lists.

Meaning & Origin of Pennyroyal

Meaning: Name of a mint-family herb historically used to repel fleas.

Origin: Anglo-Norman/Latin.

A common claim: Often assumed to reference penny-shaped leaves or coins Actually: The 'penny' isn't about coins or leaf shape -- it's a corrupted form of Anglo-Norman 'puliol', from Latin 'pulegium' (a flea-repelling plant).

How to Pronounce Pennyroyal

pen-ee-ROY-ulIPA /ˌpɛniˈrɔɪəl/

Popularity of Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal doesn’t appear in U.S. Social Security birth records, which include every name given to at least five babies in a year — so it’s rare in the U.S.

Lists That Include Pennyroyal

Similar Names

Elecampane · Flora · Celandine · Heather · Ivy · Juniper

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