Girl · 26th of 30,306
Penelope
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
103,268
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2019
Peak Popularity Year
6,733
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Penelope stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/pəˈnɛləpi/
Origin
Greek
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.
Meaning
weaver
Language Evolution
Penelopeus (Ancient Greek), Penelope (Modern Greek)
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.
Variants & Derivatives
Penny, Nellie, Nell
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Penelope is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with loyalty and intelligence due to its mythological roots.
Famous People
Penelope Cruz, Penelope Wilton, Penelope Lively
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,733 peak births in 2019
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
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |