Penelope
Complete Name Analysis & Etymology Guide
103,268 Total Births
145 Years of Data
2019 Peak Popularity Year
6,733 Peak Births

Penelope Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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Summary

Penelope is a name of Greek origin meaning 'weaver'. Its path through language includes forms like Penelopeus in Ancient Greek and its modern usage in English. It is associated with traits of loyalty and cleverness, particularly due to its mythological background. There is no biblical relevance to the name, but it has gained popularity in modern times due to its literary significance and associations with notable figures.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Penelope"

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Pronunciation

/pəˈnɛləpi/

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Origin

Greek

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Etymology

The name Penelope is derived from the Greek word 'pēnē', meaning 'weaver'. In mythology, Penelope is the wife of Odysseus in Homer's 'Odyssey', known for her fidelity and cleverness.

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Meaning

weaver

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Language Evolution

Penelopeus (Ancient Greek), Penelope (Modern Greek)

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Historical Usage

The name Penelope gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, inspired by the romantic and literary references to the character in classical literature.

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Variants & Derivatives

Penny, Nellie, Nell

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Modern Popularity & Image

Today, Penelope is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with loyalty and intelligence due to its mythological roots.

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Famous People

Penelope Cruz, Penelope Wilton, Penelope Lively

📊 Penelope Name Trend Analysis

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Girl Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Rising
25-Year Trend: Consistently Rising
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Boy Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Stable
25-Year Trend: Relatively Stable

Explore More Penelope Name Visualizations

✨ Penelope Name Meaning & Significance

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Popularity Trend

Highly Popular name with 6,733 peak births in 2019

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Geographic Spread

Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada

Historical Span

Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends

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Generational Impact

Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity

🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Penelope" - Complete Guide (1 Names)

Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Penelope". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 1 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.

Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Penelope" that fits your preferences.

Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Penelope"

Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Yearly Ranking History of "Penelope"

"Penelope" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Boy 11719th of 23106 53
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Girl 1169th of 9107 741
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Girl 436th of 9204 4,686
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Girl 420th of 12526 9,156
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Girl 739th of 19264 3,207
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Girl 1994th of 27321 1,004
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Girl 416th of 35406 11,949
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Girl 26th of 30306 72,396

Regional Popularity of "Penelope" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - - -
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
- - - -
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
- - - -
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
- - - -
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
- - - -
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

Regional Popularity of "Penelope" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
71.89%
1018th/1416
43.22%
596th/1379
- 83.27%
951st/1142
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
22.32%
345th/1546
20.31%
316th/1556
27.45%
646th/2353
19.91%
308th/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
16.12%
359th/2227
15.02%
365th/2430
16.86%
481st/2853
15.21%
422nd/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
24.45%
718th/2937
19.70%
686th/3483
21.38%
752nd/3518
21.54%
871st/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
75.33%
2776th/3685
34.10%
1526th/4475
45.48%
2362nd/5194
28.78%
1818th/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
9.62%
441st/4582
7.09%
366th/5164
6.92%
506th/7313
4.73%
353rd/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
0.75%
30th/3984
0.65%
29th/4487
0.51%
35th/6822
0.29%
18th/6276

State-by-State Popularity of "Penelope"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Penelope" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.

Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Penelope" in the United States

The name Penelope is most popular in Nevada, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Penelope has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, 'Penelope' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11719th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1169th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 436th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 420th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 739th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1994th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 416th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 26th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Penelope' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Infographic: Penelope name meaning, origin, and popularity trends in the United States (US baby name analysis chart)
[600x500px image] Etymology and historical popularity of Penelope,
Infographic: Penelope same pronunciation names, similar names, and homophone names
[600x500px image] Penelope same pronunciation names, similar names, and homophone names