Boy Name · Greek Origin
Peter
Among 2026's most-considered baby names, Peter keeps surfacing for the same reason: it travels well. The name's literal sense — "Rock, stone" — is the kind of small story a child grows into rather than out of. With Greek provenance, Peter reads as a name with a passport — at home in multiple cultures and centuries. Our reviewers flagged Peter as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
In the US Social Security Administration data, Peter currently sits in the top 100, which makes it a widely-loved mainstream favorite. Compared with names of similar style, Peter has held its rank more consistently — a quiet sign of long-term durability. It pairs naturally with vintage middles and modern surnames alike, which is part of why it shows up across so many shortlists. Parents who love Peter often also weigh Peder, Pieter, Petra — and the Peter name page below covers nicknames, sibling pairings, and pronunciation in detail.
Peter meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Rock, stone
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Peter to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Peter as P·E·T·E·R, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Peter is a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick in the Top 100 tier.
Peter variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Petera, Petere, Petery, Pete.
- Nicknames: Pet and P.
- Middle names: Pair Peter with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Peter middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Peder, Pieter, Petra, Pedro, Pietro — full picks on the sibling names for Peter guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Peter? Browse our names like Peter guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Peter
What does the name Peter mean?
Peter means "Rock, stone" and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of Peter?
Peter originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Peter?
Peter has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Peter a boy's or girl's name?
Peter is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Peter in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Peter sits in the Top 100 tier — a widely-loved, instantly-recognizable pick.
What names are similar to Peter?
Names that share Peter's sound and style include Peder, Pieter, Petra, Pedro, Pietro.
What middle names pair well with Peter?
Good middle-name fits for Peter pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Peter is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Peter is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Peter?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Peter share its rhythm without rhyming — Peder, Pieter, Petra all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.