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NamyLab

Penelope

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Weaver or Duck"

Known from Greek epic tradition, its etymology is uncertain, often connected to weaving symbolism and classical literary heritage.

Themes:greekmythologyweavingfeminine
MythologyMythologicalClassicTraditionalTimeless

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Penelope

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#28Top 50

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#28

Penelope was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-5

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Penelope Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Penelope.

13 ideas
Penny
Nickname
Nell
Nickname
Nellie
Nickname
Poppy
Nickname
Pen
Nickname
penny
Nickname
peny
Nickname
pe
Nickname
lope
Nickname
opey
Nickname
nely
Nickname
penelope
Nickname
pene
Nickname

Similar Names to Penelope

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AN-uh

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AY-mee

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Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

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Alice

“Noble Kind”

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“Manly, Courageous”

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“Grace, Favor”

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uh-LEK-sis

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Ava

AY-vuh

“Birdlike; Life”

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Allison

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Baby Name Lists That Include Penelope

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Penelope, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

16 linked lists

Famous Penelopes

  • P
    Penelope Cruz
    Spanish actress and first Spaniard to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
  • P
    Penelope (Greek mythology)
    Wife of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, celebrated for her loyalty

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Penelope mean?
Penelope means "Weaver or Duck". Known from Greek epic tradition, its etymology is uncertain, often connected to weaving symbolism and classical literary
What is the origin of Penelope?
Penelope is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Penelope?
According to the latest SSA data, Penelope is currently ranked #28 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Penelope a girl name?
Penelope is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Penelope?
Popular nicknames for Penelope include Penny, Nell, Nellie, Poppy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Penelope?
There are many names similar to Penelope in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek
Syllables4
Length8 letters
US Rank#28
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withP

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Penelope

Penelope has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Penelope appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Legendary Mythological Names and Timeless Classic Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Penelope pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Penelope beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.