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Penelope

Penelope

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.

Baby name Penelope

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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”)
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