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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Rock or stone
- Origin
- Ancient Greek (via Latin)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- PEE-tur
Peter comes from Ancient Greek by way of Latin and means rock or stone. It's sometimes said to mean 'bearer of Christ,' but that claim isn't well supported, so it's worth treating as unconfirmed. Pronounced PEE-tur, it has a settled, vintage feel.
Meaning & Origin of Peter
Meaning: Rock or stone.
Origin: Ancient Greek (via Latin).
A common claim: Peter is sometimes claimed to mean 'bearer of Christ.' Actually: Peter derives from the Aramaic name Kefa ('rock' or 'stone'), the name Jesus gave to the apostle Simon — not 'bearer of Christ.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Peter
PEE-turIPA /ˈpiːtər/
Popularity of Peter
Peter reached its highest popularity in 1880, ranking #31 with 496 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled to #192, with 1,889 babies named Peter.
Names Like Peter
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Peter mean?
Rock or stone. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Peter?
Peter is pronounced PEE-tur (IPA: /ˈpiːtər/).
Is Peter a popular name right now?
Peter peaked at #31 in 1880 and is ranked #192 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Peter Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Peter, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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