Petra

rock, stone
Greece origin · Unisex name
0% boys100% girls
#1473US 2023
149Births / yr
Rising
13.9kAll-time births
📅 Since 188100.02% of births at peak
How to pronounce Petra
PETR·uh
/ˈpɛtr.ə/ · stress on PETR · 2 syllables
rock, stone
Greece origin · Unisex name

What does Petra mean and where does it come from?

The name Petra has its origins in both Greek and Latin, deriving from 'petra', meaning 'rock' or 'stone'. It is a popular name in various countries and cultures, including Greece, Italy, and among Slavic populations. Historically, Saint Peter, whose name derives from the same root word, has contribu

Cultural significance
Petra has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Greece-speaking communities, where it reflects values of rock, stone.
Peak popularity
Reached #435 in 1894 — currently #1473 in the US.
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Related Reading
Greece-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →

What middle names flow best with Petra?

Petra works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Petra Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Petra Rose
Floral · soft ending
Petra Mae
Sweet · timeless
Petra Claire
French influence · crisp
Petra Jane
Literary · strong
Petra Skye
Modern · airy feel
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Middle Names
The best middle names for Petra
Browse ideas →

How popular is Petra right now?

Rising fast — up 63 spots — currently #1473 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 18852023#1473 · Top 1.1%
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2021
2022
2023
YearUS RankBirthsvs Prior Year
2023#1473149▲ up 63 · +6% births
2022#1536140▼ down 106 · -7% births
2021#1430151▼ down 145 · -12% births
2020#1285171▲ up 61 · -3% births
2015#1346176▲ up 664 · +78% births
2010#201099▼ down 372 · -19% births
2005#1638122▲ up 231 · +34% births
2000#186991▼ down 83 · +14% births
1995#178680▲ up 79 · +5% births
1990#186576▼ down 454 · -16% births
1985#141190▼ down 248 · -22% births
1980#1163116▼ down 17 · +15% births
1975#1146101▼ down 173 · -22% births
1970#973130▼ down 176 · -16% births
1965#797154

The story of Petra

Petra has been a beloved American name for over 143 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1881. A total of 13,863 babies have received this name. Once ranked #573 in 1885, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1473 in 2023. Petra is used for both genders: 100% female and 0% male.

Names that peaked alongside Petra in 1894:

Petra by decade

Petra peaked in the 1890s. See all 1890s names →

DecadeBirths
1880s136
1890s257
1900s407
1910s1,012
1920s1,822
1930s1,325
1940s1,065
1950s1,059
1960s1,255
1970s1,170
1980s881
1990s826
2000s1,046
2010s1,431
2020s171

What are good nicknames for Petra?

BULGARIAN
PenkaPetiaPetya
ENGLISH
Petrina
FRENCH
PerrinePierrette
ITALIAN
PierinaPietrina

Gender variants of Petra

Pjetër ALBANIANBotros ARABICBoutros ARABICButrus ARABICBedros ARMENIANPetros ARMENIANPeio BASQUEPeru BASQUEPetri BASQUEPetros BIBLICAL GREEKPetrus BIBLICAL LATINPeter BIBLICALPer BRETONPerig BRETONPierrick BRETONPenko BULGARIANPetar BULGARIANPere CATALANBotros COPTICBoutros COPTICButrus COPTICPetru CORSICANPejo CROATIANPerica CROATIANPero CROATIANPetar CROATIANPetr CZECHPeder DANISHPeer DANISHPer DANISHPeter DANISHPeter DUTCHPetrus DUTCHPier DUTCHPiet DUTCHPieter DUTCHBRITISH(Piers ENGLISHPeers ENGLISHPete ENGLISHPeter ENGLISHPetro ESPERANTOPeeter ESTONIANPetur FAROESEPekka FINNISHPetri FINNISHPetteri FINNISHPietari FINNISHPierre FRENCHPierrick FRENCHPitter FRISIANPetre GEORGIANPeter GERMANPetrus GERMANPetros GREEKPika HAWAIIANPéter HUNGARIANPeti HUNGARIANPétur ICELANDICPeadar IRISHPiaras IRISHPier ITALIANPierino ITALIANPiero ITALIANPietro ITALIANPit LIMBURGISHPitter LIMBURGISHPetras LITHUANIANPece MACEDONIANPetar MACEDONIANPetre MACEDONIANPetera MAORIPiers MEDIEVAL FRENCHPetruccio MEDIEVAL ITALIANPeder NORWEGIANPeer NORWEGIANPer NORWEGIANPeter NORWEGIANPetter NORWEGIANPèire OCCITANPetru OLD CHURCH SLAVICPiotr POLISHPedrinho PORTUGUESEPedro PORTUGUESEPetre ROMANIANPetrică ROMANIANPetru ROMANIANPetia RUSSIANPetya RUSSIANPyotr RUSSIANPedru SARDINIANPeadar SCOTTISHPejo SERBIANPerica SERBIANPero SERBIANPetar SERBIANPeter SLOVAKPeter SLOVENEPedro SPANISHPeder SWEDISHPeer SWEDISHPehr SWEDISHPelle SWEDISHPer SWEDISHPeter SWEDISHPetter SWEDISHPierre SWEDISHPetro UKRAINIANPedr WELSHPearce ENGLISHPierce ENGLISH

Common questions about the name Petra

What does the name Petra mean?
Petra means "rock, stone" — a name rooted in Greece 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 Petra?
Petra is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.
What is the cultural origin of Petra?
Petra originates from Greece tradition. Greece 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 Petra?
Petra is a two-syllable name pronounced P EH1 T R AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Petra a common or rare name?
Petra is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.