What does Petar mean and where does it come from?
Petar is a variant of Peter, originating from the Greek word 'petros' which means rock or stone. The name has been borne by several notable historical figures, including Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles. Its use is prominent in Slavic countries, and variations of the name can be seen in m
Cultural significance
Petar has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Croatia-speaking communities, where it reflects values of slavic.
Peak popularity
Reached #2192 in 1968 — currently #6354 in the US.
🌿
Related Reading
Croatia-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Petar?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Petar?
Petar works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Petar Jack
One syllable · timeless choice
Petar John
One syllable · timeless choice
Petar Luke
One syllable · timeless choice
Petar Miles
One syllable · vintage charm
Petar Beau
One syllable · on the rise
Petar Brooks
One syllable · timeless choice
How popular is Petar right now?
Rising — up 45 spots — currently #6354 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2025 | #6354 | 14 | ▲ up 45 |
| 2024 | #6399 | 14 | ▼ down 794 · -18% births |
| 2023 | #5605 | 17 | ▲ up 2540 · +70% births |
| 2022 | #8145 | 10 | ▼ down 1890 · -29% births |
| 2021 | #6255 | 14 | ▼ down 1544 · -30% births |
| 2020 | #4711 | 20 | ▲ up 632 · +18% births |
| 2015 | #5343 | 17 | ▲ up 2938 · +89% births |
| 2010 | #8281 | 9 | ▼ down 2627 · -36% births |
| 2005 | #5654 | 14 | ▼ down 273 · +8% births |
| 2000 | #5381 | 13 | ▲ up 1216 · +63% births |
| 1995 | #6597 | 8 | ▼ down 542 |
| 1990 | #6055 | 8 | ▼ down 2526 · -38% births |
| 1985 | #3529 | 13 | ▲ up 475 · +30% births |
| 1980 | #4004 | 10 | ▲ up 162 · +25% births |
| 1975 | #4166 | 8 | — |
The story of Petar
Petar is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1963. With 572 total births recorded, Petar remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4137 in 1970, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5605 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Petar in 1968:
Petar by decade
Petar peaked in the 1960s. See all 1960s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1960s | 32 | |
| 1970s | 70 | |
| 1980s | 75 | |
| 1990s | 106 | |
| 2000s ★ | 143 | |
| 2010s | 126 | |
| 2020s | 48 | |
💎Petar has only 572 total recorded births since 1963 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Petar?
What names sound and feel like Petar?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Petar also consider these
How is Petar written in other languages?
Macedonian), Петър
Bulgarian
What are the girl versions of Petar?
Common questions about the name Petar
What does the name Petar mean?
Petar means "Slavic" — a name rooted in Croatia tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Petar?
Petar is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Petar have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Petar?
Petar originates from Croatia tradition. Croatia names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Petar?
Petar is a two-syllable name pronounced PET-AHR. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Petar trending right now?
Petar is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.