Peta Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEH-tah //ˈpɛtə//
Origin: Greek; Hebrew
Meaning: Greek: 'rock'; Hebrew: 'daughter of the vow'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Peta is derived from the Hebrew name "Petah", which means "rock" or "stone". This etymological root can be traced back to the Hebrew word "tzur", which also conveys the meaning of strength and stability.
The name made its way into the Greek language as "Petros", which translates to "rock" and is notably associated with Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The Latin form "Petrus" further solidified the name's presence in early Christian texts, and it was subsequently adopted into Old French as "Pierre" before entering the English language as "Peter".
The feminine form, Peta, is often considered a diminutive or variant of these names, particularly in English-speaking contexts. Historically, the name Peter has significant milestones, especially within Christian tradition.
Saint Peter, believed to have been martyred around 64 AD, is recognized as a foundational figure in Christianity, and his name has been borne by numerous popes throughout history. The name's prominence was further enhanced by its inclusion in major biblical translations, such as the King James Bible in 1611, where it appears frequently in the New Testament.
The feminine variant, Peta, while less common, has been used in various cultures, often reflecting a connection to the original meanings associated with strength and resilience. Culturally, the name Peta carries connotations of steadfastness and reliability, resonating with the symbolic significance of its roots.
In various traditions, names derived from rock or stone are often associated with durability and permanence, qualities that have contributed to the name's endurance over centuries. The name Peta, while not as widely recognized as its masculine counterpart, embodies these same attributes, linking it to a rich historical and cultural heritage that underscores its significance.
Famous people named Peta
In this section, you will find notable people named Peta. 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 Peta who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Peta 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.
Peta Wilson is an actress best known for La Femme Nikita, The Matrix Reloaded, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Peta Credlin is a political commentator and television presenter best known for her work on Sky News Australia and as Chief of Staff to Tony Abbott.
Peta Murgatroyd is a dancer best known for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars and as a choreographer.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Peta, 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 Peta. 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 Peta was first seen in the United States in 1998.
Peta has ranked as high as #1259 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Peta has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Peta 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 Peta was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Peta
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 Peta.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 |