Petra Girl

Popularity: #787 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PET-rah //ˈpɛtrə//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: rock; Latin: stone

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Petra is derived from the Greek word "petra," meaning "rock" or "stone." This etymology can be traced back to the ancient Greek language, where it appears in various forms. The name is often associated with the biblical figure Saint Peter, whose name in Greek is "Petros," also meaning "rock." The connection between Petra and Peter is significant, as Saint Peter is considered a foundational figure in Christianity, symbolizing strength and stability.

The name Petra entered the English language through Latin, where it was adopted from the Greek, and subsequently made its way into various European languages, including Italian and Spanish, before becoming established in English usage. Historically, the name Petra has been borne by several notable figures and places.

One of the most famous references is the ancient city of Petra in modern-day Jordan, which was a significant trading hub and is renowned for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. This city was established by the Nabataeans around the 5th century BCE and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 20th century, further cementing the name's historical significance.

Additionally, the name has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing strength and resilience. Culturally, the name Petra has resonated through various traditions and has been associated with qualities such as steadfastness and endurance.

In Christian contexts, it is often linked to the virtues of faith and reliability, reflecting the characteristics attributed to Saint Peter. The name has also inspired diminutive forms, such as Petya in Slavic cultures, which have their own unique cultural significance.

Overall, Petra's rich etymological roots and historical associations contribute to its enduring appeal across different cultures and eras.

Famous people named Petra

In this section, you will find notable people named Petra. 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 Petra who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Petra 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.

Petra Kvitová is a professional tennis player best known for winning Wimbledon twice and being a former world No. 2.

Petra Nemcova is a model and television host best known for her work with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and her charity work with Happy Hearts Fund.

Petra Collins is a photographer and director best known for her work in fashion photography and as a co-founder of the online magazine Frank.

Fictional characters named Petra

The following list of fictional characters named Petra 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.

Petra Arkanian is a fictional character from the novel Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. She is a skilled and intelligent member of Ender's team, known for her strategic thinking and leadership abilities.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Petra, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

PaulaPiperPhoebePenelopePoppyPriscilla

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Petra. 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.

PetaPetuniaPennyPiaPippaPazPansyPallas

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Petra was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Petra has ranked as high as #886 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in Texas, California, New York, Arizona, and New Mexico.

In the past 5 years the name Petra has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Petra 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 Petra 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 Petra.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 161 0 161
2024 147 0 147
2023 149 0 149
2022 140 0 140
2021 151 0 151
2020 175 0 175
2019 172 0 172
2018 144 0 144
2017 165 0 165
2016 158 0 158
2015 176 0 176
2014 145 0 145
2013 134 0 134
2012 122 0 122
2011 118 0 118
2010 99 0 99
2009 135 0 135
2008 133 0 133
2007 124 0 124
2006 101 0 101
2005 122 0 122
2004 89 0 89
2003 80 0 80
2002 80 0 80
2001 91 0 91
2000 91 0 91
1999 70 0 70
1998 78 0 78
1997 84 0 84
1996 85 0 85
1995 81 0 81
1994 94 0 94
1993 90 0 90
1992 87 0 87
1991 83 5 78
1990 76 0 76
1989 73 0 73
1988 79 0 79
1987 111 0 111
1986 75 0 75
1985 91 0 91
1984 89 0 89
1983 96 0 96
1982 67 0 67
1981 86 0 86
1980 116 0 116
1979 101 0 101
1978 120 0 120
1977 101 0 101
1976 123 0 123
1975 101 0 101
1974 120 0 120
1973 127 5 122
1972 117 0 117
1971 130 0 130
1970 130 0 130
1969 113 0 113
1968 134 0 134
1967 124 0 124
1966 130 0 130
1965 156 0 156
1964 138 0 138
1963 113 0 113
1962 116 0 116
1961 99 0 99
1960 137 0 137
1959 106 0 106
1958 92 0 92
1957 109 0 109
1956 118 0 118
1955 100 0 100
1954 103 0 103
1953 115 0 115
1952 88 0 88
1951 98 0 98
1950 130 0 130
1949 113 0 113
1948 136 5 131
1947 115 0 115
1946 116 0 116
1945 93 0 93
1944 103 0 103
1943 103 0 103
1942 97 0 97
1941 81 0 81
1940 108 0 108
1939 106 0 106
1938 117 0 117
1937 127 6 121
1936 115 0 115
1935 106 0 106
1934 139 0 139
1933 120 0 120
1932 141 0 141
1931 173 5 168
1930 181 5 176
1929 192 5 187
1928 189 7 182
1927 205 8 197
1926 174 0 174
1925 189 0 189
1924 192 5 187
1923 168 0 168
1922 189 0 189
1921 166 0 166
1920 158 6 152
1919 145 0 145
1918 139 5 134
1917 123 0 123
1916 99 0 99
1915 120 0 120
1914 111 0 111
1913 85 0 85
1912 63 0 63
1911 62 0 62
1910 65 0 65
1909 50 0 50
1908 40 0 40
1907 51 0 51
1906 40 0 40
1905 43 0 43
1904 43 0 43
1903 26 0 26
1902 37 0 37
1901 37 0 37
1900 40 0 40
1899 22 0 22
1898 26 0 26
1897 24 0 24
1896 33 0 33
1895 27 0 27
1894 42 0 42
1893 23 0 23
1892 24 0 24
1891 18 0 18
1890 18 0 18
1889 24 0 24
1888 24 0 24
1887 17 0 17
1886 19 0 19
1885 15 0 15
1884 9 0 9
1883 9 0 9
1882 9 0 9
1881 10 0 10

Top States for Petra (2024)

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 16
16%
TX 15
15%
FL 9
9%
AZ 8
8%
VA 8
8%
NY 7
7%
IL 7
7%
WA 6
6%
OR 5
5%
PA 5
5%
CT 5
5%
MI 5
5%
MA 5
5%