Penelope is an adorable baby name that has been around since the story of “The Odyssey.” It was the name of Odysseus' wife in the story. The name remains a top 25 name for girls on the Social Security Index.
Meaning of the name Penelope:
Greek: weaver, “with a web over her face”
Origin of the name Penelope:
The baby name Penelope has two Greek origin stories. In one story, it comes from the Greek word “penelops” which is a kind of duck. For another story, however, it comes from the Greek word “pene” which means “thread of a bobbin.”
Symbolism of the name Penelope:
If Penelope comes from the word “pene,” it would make sense to mean weaver as these professionals work with thread. For the meaning related to a duck, it would be because Penelope in “The Odyssey” was raised by a duck.
Style of the name Penelope:
Classical
Gender of the name Penelope:
Penelope is a girl's name.
Pronunciation of the name Penelope:
pe-NEHL-e-pee
Number of syllables in the name Penelope:
Four
Emotion evoked from the name Penelope:
Penelope is a unique baby name that feels lighthearted, fun, and exuberant. It is a very wholesome name too, especially when paired with the nickname Penny.
Alternative spellings for the name Penelope:
- Pennelope
- Pennellope
- Penellope
- Penelopee
Nicknames for the name Penelope:
Popularity of the name Penelope:
The baby name Penelope has been on the top 1,000 list since 1922 at number 959. It became a top 100 name at number 56 in 2013, and a top 50 name as of the year 2014. In the year 2020, Penelope is a top 25 name ranking at exactly number 25.
Related names for the name Penelope:
Great middle names for Penelope and their meanings:
- Jules (youthful)
- Maeve (intoxicating)
- Anne (God has favored me)
- Brynn (hill)
- Iris (rainbow)
- Joelle (Jehovah is God)
- Beth (God is abundance)
- Alexandra (to defend, to protect)
Famous people with the name Penelope:
- Penelope Cruz (actress, “Volver”)
- Penelope Miller (actress, “The Relic”)
- Penelope Spheeris (director, “Suburbia”)
- Penelope Lively (novelist, “Moon Tiger”)
- Penelope Keith (actress, “The Good Life”)
- Penelope Houston (singer from the band The Avengers)
- Penelope Heyns (Olympic swimmer)
Penelopes in popular culture:
- Penelope (character in “The Odyssey”)
- Penelope Pingleton (character in “Hairspray”)
- Penelope Clearwater (character in “Harry Potter”)
- Penelope Hume (character on “Lost”)
- Penelope Garcia (character on “Criminal Minds”)
- Penelope Guerrero (character on “The Purge”)
- Penelope Proud (character on “The Proud Family”)