Girl
Penelope
weaver
About Penelope
This ancient name has experienced remarkable modern revival, climbing from near-obscurity to contemporary favorite status. The four syllables create a lilting rhythm that feels both substantial and playful, serious and whimsical simultaneously. Greek mythology provides the namesake—Odysseus's faithful wife who epitomized loyalty, intelligence, and patience. The name suggests classical education and literary appreciation while remaining thoroughly wearable for today's children. Its nickname options range from cute and childish to sleek and modern, offering versatility as the bearer grows and her preferences evolve. The repeated sounds create a pleasant echo effect that makes the name satisfying to pronounce. It walks the line between popular and oversaturated, being recognizable without feeling overused in most regions. The name carries an vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking alternatives to Madison and Emma without venturing into completely unfamiliar territory. Its length provides enough substance to stand alone confidently while accepting middle names gracefully. The soft consonants throughout maintain femininity without becoming saccharine, creating a balanced impression suitable for various personalities. For parents wanting something with historical weight, mythological significance, and contemporary viability, this choice offers a proven track record of success across different eras and contexts.
Popularity of the Name Penelope
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #917 | ||||
| 1883 | #902 | ||||
| 1886 | #974 | ||||
| 1891 | #992 | ||||
| 1922 | #959 | ||||
| 1923 | #986 | ||||
| 1924 | #949 | ||||
| 1925 | #922 | ||||
| 1926 | #935 | ||||
| 1935 | #830 | ||||
| 1936 | #656 | ||||
| 1937 | #502 | ||||
| 1938 | #486 | ||||
| 1939 | #326 | #201 | |||
| 1940 | #300 | #168 | |||
| 1941 | #273 | #173 | |||
| 1942 | #267 | #161 | |||
| 1943 | #276 | #187 | |||
| 1944 | #265 | #133 | |||
| 1945 | #305 | #155 | |||
| 1946 | #289 | #137 | |||
| 1947 | #272 | #124 | |||
| 1948 | #275 | #106 | |||
| 1949 | #297 | #92 | |||
| 1950 | #305 | #97 | |||
| 1951 | #332 | #114 | |||
| 1952 | #359 | #90 | |||
| 1953 | #365 | #115 | |||
| 1954 | #395 | #94 | |||
| 1955 | #435 | #98 | |||
| 1956 | #478 | #81 | |||
| 1957 | #460 | #76 | |||
| 1958 | #485 | #85 | |||
| 1959 | #495 | #86 | |||
| 1960 | #549 | #97 | |||
| 1961 | #567 | #103 | |||
| 1962 | #586 | #98 | |||
| 1963 | #540 | #119 | |||
| 1964 | #616 | #124 | #294 | ||
| 1965 | #585 | #111 | #373 | ||
| 1966 | #643 | #155 | |||
| 1967 | #597 | #99 | #444 | ||
| 1968 | #570 | #117 | #302 | ||
| 1969 | #531 | #100 | #384 | ||
| 1970 | #571 | #99 | #359 | ||
| 1971 | #734 | #100 | #543 | ||
| 1972 | #677 | #98 | |||
| 1973 | #677 | #80 | #492 | ||
| 1974 | #760 | #107 | #550 | ||
| 1975 | #844 | #143 | #446 | ||
| 2001 | #942 | #853 | #332 | #467 | |
| 2002 | #717 | #764 | #752 | #331 | |
| 2003 | #712 | #606 | #357 | ||
| 2004 | #646 | #607 | #339 | #467 | |
| 2005 | #561 | #611 | #346 | ||
| 2006 | #482 | #740 | #376 | ||
| 2007 | #411 | #558 | #335 | #806 | #357 |
| 2008 | #359 | #442 | #297 | #298 | |
| 2009 | #253 | #345 | #621 | #258 | |
| 2010 | #200 | #281 | #339 | #732 | #187 |
| 2011 | #168 | #262 | #238 | #408 | #169 |
| 2012 | #125 | #216 | #219 | #591 | #140 |
| 2013 | #56 | #140 | #136 | #418 | #94 |
| 2014 | #43 | #106 | #132 | #251 | #84 |
| 2015 | #34 | #71 | #79 | #272 | #63 |
| 2016 | #27 | #67 | #68 | #232 | #65 |
| 2017 | #24 | #57 | #65 | #135 | #62 |
| 2018 | #26 | #54 | #53 | #163 | #66 |
| 2019 | #22 | #43 | #66 | #125 | #56 |
| 2020 | #26 | #48 | #60 | #183 | #55 |
| 2021 | #23 | #39 | #53 | #166 | #61 |
| 2022 | #21 | #36 | #59 | #161 | #52 |
| 2023 | #23 | #39 | #45 | #148 | #65 |
| 2024 | #28 | #39 | #47 | #164 | #50 |
| 2025 | #22 | #35 | #44 | #154 | #57 |
| 1997 | #811 | #438 | |||
| 1998 | #782 | #331 | |||
| 1999 | #818 | #398 | |||
| 2000 | #741 | #424 | |||
| 1976 | #118 | #417 | |||
| 1977 | #146 | ||||
| 1978 | #100 | ||||
| 1979 | #107 | #613 | |||
| 1980 | #113 | ||||
| 1981 | #199 | ||||
| 1982 | #136 | ||||
| 1983 | #172 | ||||
| 1984 | #169 | ||||
| 1985 | #160 | ||||
| 1986 | #150 | ||||
| 1987 | #216 | #557 | |||
| 1988 | #162 | ||||
| 1989 | #253 | ||||
| 1990 | #334 | ||||
| 1991 | #189 | #724 | |||
| 1992 | #223 | #620 | |||
| 1995 | #381 | #517 | |||
| 1993 | #678 | ||||
| 1994 | #470 | ||||
| 1996 | #512 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Penelope
- Penelopea
- Penelopi
- Pénélope
Names Similar to Penelope
Nicknames for Penelope
- Penny
- Pen
- Nell
- Poppy
- Nellie
Famous People Named Penelope
| Penelope Cruz | Spanish actress |
| Penelope Keith | British actress |
| Penelope Lively | British author |
| Penelope Fitzgerald | British author |
| Penelope Wilton | British actress |
| Penelope Ann Miller | American actress |
| Penelope Spheeris | American filmmaker |
| Penelope Houston | American musician |
| Penelope Reed Doob | Canadian academic |
| Penelope Fillon | French politician |
| Penelope Leach | British psychologist and author |
| Penelope Mortimer | British author |
| Penelope Skinner | British playwright |
| Penelope Gilliatt | British writer and critic |
| Penelope Delta | Greek author |
| Penelope Blackwell | American journalist |
| Penelope Hobhouse | British garden writer |
| Penelope Niven | American biographer |
| Penelope Farmer | British author |
Characters Named Penelope
| Penelope Pitstop | The Perils of Penelope Pitstop |
| Penelope Clearwater | Harry Potter series |
| Penelope Alcott Hapwell | The Ten Thousand Doors of January |
| Penelope Wilhern | Penelope |
| Penelope Shafai | The Mindy Project |
| Penelope Lang | Nancy Drew series |
| Penelope Spectra | Danny Phantom |
| Penelope Young | Batman - Arkham Asylum |
| Penelope Pussycat | Looney Tunes |
| Penelope Ann "Punky" Brewster | Punky Brewster |
| Penelope | Wreck-It Ralph |
| Penelope Garcia | The Sisters Brothers |
| Penelope Featherington | The Viscount Who Loved Me |
| Penelope Blossom | Riverdale |
| Penelope Taynt | All That |
| Penelope "Penny" Morris | Fireman Sam |