Boy · 205th of 7,545
Pete
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
43,644
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1959
Peak Popularity Year
768
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Pete 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
Pete is derived from the Greek name Petros, which means 'rock' or 'stone'. It has evolved through various languages including Latin and French before becoming popular in English. The name has biblical significance as Peter was an apostle of Jesus. Modern usage reflects a friendly and informal image, and notable individuals with this name include musicians and athletes.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/piːt/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Pete is a diminutive form of the name Peter, which comes from the Greek word 'petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone'.
Meaning
rock, stone
Language Evolution
Petros (Greek), Petrus (Latin), Pierre (French), Pieter (Dutch), Petar (Croatian), Pete (English)
Biblical Background
The name Peter is significant in Christianity as it was given by Jesus to Simon, one of his apostles, symbolizing the foundation of the Church.
Historical Usage
The name Pete gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the 20th century as a friendly, informal version of Peter.
Variants & Derivatives
Peter, Petey, Pietro, Piet, Paddy
Modern Popularity & Image
Pete is perceived as a casual and approachable name, often associated with friendliness and relatability.
Famous People
Pete Townshend, Pete Davidson, Pete Rose, Pete Sampras
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl 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
Moderately Popular name with 768 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 45 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 205th of 7545 | 10,272 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 226th of 6773 | 10,202 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 295th of 7552 | 11,821 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 462nd of 10718 | 4,990 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 741st of 16616 | 2,728 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1545th of 24088 | 1,442 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2425th of 23106 | 662 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4839th of 9107 | 57 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5291st of 9204 | 46 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 8676th of 12526 | 25 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 10350th of 19264 | 42 |