Penelope
Greek girl's name meaning “duck; or 'weaver' (uncertain)”
- Gender
- Girl
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- duck; or 'weaver' (uncertain)
- Syllables
- 3
- Letters
- 8
- US rank (2023)
- #23
- Born in 2023
- 6,065
- Peak year
- 2023 (#23)
Meaning & origin
Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelópē, of uncertain meaning — possibly from pēnélops ('duck'), though popularly linked to pēnē ('weft, thread') and so read as 'weaver'. In Homer's Odyssey she was the faithful, clever wife of Odysseus.
Is Penelope a Greek name?
Yes — Penelope is a Greek name meaning "duck; or 'weaver' (uncertain)". Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelópē, of uncertain meaning — possibly from pēnélops ('duck'), though popularly linked to pēnē ('weft, thread') and so read as 'weaver'. In Homer's Odyssey she was the faithful, clever wife of Odysseus.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Penelope ranked #23 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 6,065 US girls were given the name Penelope.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #23 in 2023
“Unranked” means Penelope was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more girl names starting with P.
How to spell Penelope
Penelope is spelled P-E-N-E-L-O-P-E — 8 letters and 3 syllables.
Nicknames
Penny, Nell
Penelope: frequently asked questions
What does the name Penelope mean?
Penelope is a Greek name meaning "duck; or 'weaver' (uncertain)". Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelópē, of uncertain meaning — possibly from pēnélops ('duck'), though popularly linked to pēnē ('weft, thread') and so read as 'weaver'. In Homer's Odyssey she was the faithful, clever wife of Odysseus.
Where does the name Penelope come from?
Penelope is of Greek origin. Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelópē, of uncertain meaning — possibly from pēnélops ('duck'), though popularly linked to pēnē ('weft, thread') and so read as 'weaver'. In Homer's Odyssey she was the faithful, clever wife of Odysseus.
Is Penelope a boy or a girl name?
Penelope is most commonly a girl's name.
How many babies are named Penelope?
In 2023, 6,065 US girls were given the name Penelope.
Is Penelope a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Penelope ranked #23 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
What are common nicknames for Penelope?
Common nicknames for Penelope include Penny, Nell.
How do you spell Penelope?
Penelope is spelled P-E-N-E-L-O-P-E — 8 letters.
How common is the name Penelope?
In 2023, 6,065 US girls were given the name Penelope. In the latest US data, Penelope ranked #23 for girls. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Penelope a Greek name?
Yes — Penelope is a Greek name meaning "duck; or 'weaver' (uncertain)". Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelópē, of uncertain meaning — possibly from pēnélops ('duck'), though popularly linked to pēnē ('weft, thread') and so read as 'weaver'. In Homer's Odyssey she was the faithful, clever wife of Odysseus.
What does Penelope mean in Greek?
In Greek, Penelope means "duck; or 'weaver' (uncertain)". Penelope comes from the Greek Pēnelópē, of uncertain meaning — possibly from pēnélops ('duck'), though popularly linked to pēnē ('weft, thread') and so read as 'weaver'. In Homer's Odyssey she was the faithful, clever wife of Odysseus.