What Does the Name Peter Mean?
Peter is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning “stone, rock.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Peter |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | stone, rock |
| Variants | Pedro, Pierre, Pietro, Pieter, Petr |
| Popularity | A consistently used US name, peaking in the top 40 mid-century; it remains in steady, moderate use. |
The meaning and origin of Peter
The name Peter means “stone, rock” and has Greek origins. From the Greek Petros meaning 'stone' or 'rock,' it was given by Jesus to the apostle Simon Peter as a symbolic name. It has been a staple Christian name across Europe for two millennia.
Variants and related names
Peter is related to several other names you may recognize: Pedro, Pierre, Pietro, Pieter, Petr. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Peter?
A consistently used US name, peaking in the top 40 mid-century; it remains in steady, moderate use.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Peter below.
Generate a fake Peter profile
Need a complete fictional identity using the name Peter? Generate a full profile — address, phone, email and more — for testing and privacy.
Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Peter mean?+
The name Peter means “stone, rock” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Peter?+
Peter originates from Greek.
Is Peter a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Peter has trended in the US over time.
Peter by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press