Pele Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAY-lay //ˈpeɪ.leɪ//
Origin: Hawaiian; Portuguese
Meaning: Hawaiian: 'sacred'; Portuguese: 'to be'
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 etymological origin can be traced back to the Old Testament, where it appears in the context of divine acts and miraculous events. The name was later adopted into various cultures, including the Greek and Latin languages, which often emphasized its connotations of awe and extraordinary occurrences.
The transition into English occurred through biblical translations, particularly the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped popularize Hebrew names among English speakers. Historically, the name Pele has been associated with significant figures in religious texts.
In the Bible, the term is used to describe the miraculous nature of God’s actions, thus imbuing the name with a sense of reverence and spirituality. The use of Pele as a given name has been relatively rare, but it has been noted in various cultures, particularly in Jewish traditions, where names often carry deep meanings and are chosen for their spiritual significance.
Culturally, the name Pele resonates with themes of wonder and extraordinary experiences, which have contributed to its endurance in various forms. In addition to its biblical roots, the name has also been embraced in different contexts, including mythology and folklore, where it may symbolize strength and resilience.
The name has a diminutive form, "Peli," which has been used in some cultures, although it is less common. Overall, Pele embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural significance, reflecting its historical journey and the values associated with it.
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 1973.
Pele has ranked as high as #10184 nationally, which occurred in 1981, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Pele has been trending up 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.
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 | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2010 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2005 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1994 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1982 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1981 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1975 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1973 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |