Pele Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEH-leh /ˈpɛ.le/
Origin: Portuguese; Yoruba
Meaning: Portuguese: 'to be born'; Yoruba: 'the one who brings joy'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pele has its roots in the Hebrew language, where it is derived from the word "peleh," meaning "wonder" or "marvel." This term appears in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the context of divine acts or extraordinary events, which imbues the name with a sense of awe and significance. The name was later adopted into other languages, including Greek and Latin, before making its way into English, where it has retained its original meaning associated with wonder and amazement.
Historically, the name Pele is most notably linked to biblical figures, particularly in the Old Testament, where it is used to describe the miraculous nature of God's actions. The use of the term in religious texts has contributed to its enduring significance in various cultures, particularly among Jewish communities.
The name has also been referenced in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version, which helped to solidify its presence in English-speaking contexts during the early 17th century. Culturally, the name Pele resonates with themes of extraordinary achievement and divine intervention, making it a symbol of greatness and inspiration.
In addition to its biblical connotations, the name has been embraced in various cultures around the world, often associated with figures of remarkable talent or influence. The name's simplicity and profound meaning have allowed it to endure through the centuries, maintaining its relevance in both historical and contemporary contexts.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Pele itself carries a weight of significance that transcends time.
Famous people named Pele
In this section, you will find notable people named Pele. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Pele who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Pele who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Pele is a former professional footballer best known for winning three FIFA World Cups and playing for Santos and the New York Cosmos.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pele, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Pele. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Pele was first seen in the United States in 1975.
Pele has ranked as high as #1110 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Pele has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Pele is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Pele was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Pele (2014)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Pele.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1975 | 5 |