Declining since 1985, #187 for boys today.
Popularity of Peter since 1880
Babies named Peter per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 4,656 |
| 1890s | 4,028 |
| 1900s | 4,375 |
| 1910s | 24,935 |
| 1920s | 34,066 |
| 1930s | 35,822 |
| 1940s | 69,330 |
| 1950s | 102,747 |
| 1960s | 92,418 |
| 1970s | 62,320 |
| 1980s | 56,713 |
| 1990s | 42,394 |
| 2000s | 26,136 |
| 2010s | 18,725 |
| 2020s | 10,923 |
Meaning & origin
Rooted in the Greek word 'petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone', Peter is a name of profound historical and religious significance. Bestowed upon the apostle Simon by Jesus, it came to symbolize the foundation of the Christian church and has been a staple in Western naming traditions for two millennia. In the United States, Peter has enjoyed consistent use since Social Security records began in 1880, but its peak popularity came in 1957 when it ranked among the top choices for boys. Today, Peter holds a solid position at rank 187 in 2025, given to about 1 in every 874 newborn boys. While the name has been on a gradual decline since 1985, it remains a familiar and respected classic, particularly concentrated in states like Vermont, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.
Derived from the Greek word 'petros' meaning 'stone' or 'rock'. The name was given by Jesus to his disciple Simon, symbolizing the foundation of the Christian church. Peter has been one of the most enduring names in the Western world, used across many languages and cultures for centuries.
Where Peter is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Peter” around the world
Where Peter lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Ireland
34
babies in 2025
New Zealand
23
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pete, Petey, Piet
Variants: Petrus, Pietro, Pedro, Pierre, Piers, Pyotr, Petros
Sibling names for Peter
Names that share Peter's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Margaret, Catherine, Elizabeth, Jane, Anne, Heidi, Hilary, Laura, Annemarie, Johanna, Katina, Johanne, Evangelia, Josepha, Josetta, Kathe, Katryna, Lisanne, Magalene, Nichola, Paticia, Rosslyn, Tersa, Macrina, Petula, Agape, Andreka, Angelamarie, Chrisoula, Disney, Kirstina, Paulla, Peni, Petina
Brothers: John, James, Thomas, William, Robert, Andrew, Paul, Stefan, Timothy, Jerome, Josef, Christ, Andreus, Chriss, Demetre, Gregery, Nygel, Salvator, Abanoub, Bishoy, Demitris, Gabor, Partick, Pastor
Names like Peter
Names whose popularity has moved with Peter's over the last 50 years.
