Peleg Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEH-leg /ˈpɛlɛɡ/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: division
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Peleg has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "peleg" (פֶּלֶג), which means "division" or "stream." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Peleg is mentioned as a descendant of Shem, one of Noah's sons. The biblical account indicates that during Peleg's lifetime, the earth was divided, which has been interpreted in various ways, including geographical and linguistic divisions among peoples.
The name was subsequently transliterated into Greek as "Phaleg" and later into Latin, maintaining its original meaning, before being adopted into Old French and eventually into Middle English as "Peleg." Historically, Peleg is significant as a biblical figure, appearing in genealogies that trace the lineage of the Israelites. His mention in Genesis 10:25 and 11:16-17 places him in the context of the early post-flood generations, emphasizing the importance of his lineage in the narrative of the Hebrew people.
The name has been preserved in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version, which was published in the early 17th century, ensuring its continued recognition in religious contexts. Culturally, Peleg symbolizes themes of division and the complexities of human relationships, reflecting the biblical narrative of the Tower of Babel and the subsequent scattering of peoples.
This association with division has led to its use in various literary and theological discussions throughout history. The name has also inspired diminutive forms and variations in different cultures, although these are less documented.
Overall, Peleg's historical and cultural resonance stems from its biblical origins and the significant events associated with the figure in the context of early human history.
Fictional characters named Peleg
The following list of fictional characters named Peleg is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Peleg is a fictional character from the novel Moby-Dick. He is a significant figure as the first mate of the whaling ship Pequod, guiding Ishmael in his journey.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Peleg, 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 Peleg. 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 Peleg was first seen in the United States in 2016.
Peleg has ranked as high as #1418 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Peleg has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Peleg 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 Peleg was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Peleg
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.
No state data available for this year.
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 Peleg.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |