Peter
Meaning of Peter
The name Peter is a classic male name with deep historical and cultural roots. Originating from the Greek word "Petros," meaning "rock" or "stone," it has been widely adopted across various cultures and languages. In English, it is pronounced as PEE-ter, while in German and Dutch, it takes on the form of PAY-ter and PAY-tuhr respectively. The Russian pronunciation is PYO-tyer, adding to its diverse linguistic appeal. Peter holds significant religious connotations, being one of the most prominent apostles in Christianity—Saint Peter was one of Jesus Christ's closest disciples and is considered the first Pope by Roman Catholic tradition. The name has maintained consistent popularity in the United States over the years, ranking within the top 300 names for newborn boys since records began in 1880. Despite slight fluctuations in rank, Peter remains a timeless choice that conveys strength and reliability, much like its etymological meaning of rock. Variations such as Pete also offer a more casual alternative for this enduring name.
Pronunciation
German
- Pronunced as PAY-ter (/ˈpeɪtɐ/)
Dutch
- Pronunced as PAY-tuhr (/'pɛi̯.tər/)
American English
- Pronunced as PEE-ter (/ˈpi.tər/)
British English
- Pronunced as PEE-tuh (/ˈpi.tə/)
Russian
- Pronunced as PYO-tyer (/'pʲɵ.tʲɪr/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Peter
| Peter Gary Tatchell is an Australian-born British human rights campaigner, renowned for his advocacy within LGBTQI+ social movements. |
| Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer-songwriter and musician known for his time as the lead singer of Genesis and his successful solo career, with hits like "Solsbury Hill" and "Sledgehammer". |
| Peter Andreas Thiel is a German-American billionaire entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist, known for co-founding PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, and being an early investor in Facebook. |
| Peter Singer - Peter Albert David Singer is an Australian moral philosopher known for his work in applied ethics and advocacy for vegetarianism and helping the global poor. |
| Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, was the Tsar and first Emperor of all Russia from 1682 until his death in 1725, known for his autocratic rule and modernization efforts. |
| Sir Peter Robert Jackson is a renowned New Zealand film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for his work on the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, as well as other critically acclaimed films such as Heavenly Creatures and King Kong. |
| Peter Hayden Dinklage is an American actor best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister on the HBO series Game of Thrones, and he has used his celebrity status to raise awareness about dwarfism. |
| Peter Michael Falk was a renowned American actor, best known for his iconic role as Lieutenant Columbo on the TV series Columbo, and he received numerous awards for his performance. |
| Sir Peter Paul Rubens was a highly influential Flemish Baroque artist known for his dramatic and sensual style, producing a wide range of paintings and designs. |
| Peter Bogdanovich was a multi-talented American filmmaker, writer, and actor who made significant contributions to the New Hollywood movement, earning numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. |
| Peter Seamus O'Toole was a renowned English stage and film actor known for his Shakespearean performances and "hellraiser" lifestyle. |
| Peter Jonathan Hitchens is an English conservative author, journalist, and commentator known for his work in The Mail on Sunday and contributions to various publications. |
| Peter Schmeichel - Peter Bolesław Schmeichel is a Danish former professional footballer known for his successful career as a goalkeeper with Manchester United and the Danish national team. |
| John Peter Sarsgaard is an American actor known for his atypical and sometimes villainous roles in film and television, after studying at the Actors Studio. |
| Peter Davison, born Peter Malcolm Gordon Moffett, is a renowned English actor known for his roles in television dramas and sitcoms, including his portrayal of Tristan Farnon in the BBC's adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small. |
