Petrus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEH-trus /ˈpɛtrəs/
Origin: Latin; Greek
Meaning: Rock; stone
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Petrus originates from the Greek word "petros," meaning "rock" or "stone." This term was derived from the earlier Greek word "petras," which shares the same meaning. The name was adopted into Latin as "Petrus," where it became widely used in the early Christian context.
The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Latin Vulgate Bible, which translated the Greek New Testament, where Jesus refers to Simon as "Peter" (Petrus) in the Gospel of Matthew, establishing a significant theological and cultural connection to the name. Historically, Petrus is most notably associated with Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and a foundational figure in Christianity.
He is often considered the first Pope in Roman Catholic tradition, and his martyrdom is believed to have occurred around the first century CE. The prominence of Saint Peter in Christian texts and traditions has ensured the name's enduring significance throughout the centuries.
The name has appeared in various forms across different cultures, including Peter in English, Pierre in French, and Pietro in Italian, reflecting its widespread adoption in Christian communities. Culturally, the name Petrus carries connotations of strength and stability, symbolized by its literal meaning of "rock." This association has made it a favored name in various Christian traditions, often linked to the virtues of faith and leadership.
The name has also been used in various historical contexts, including notable figures in the arts and sciences, such as Petrus de Vries, a 16th-century Dutch humanist, and Petrus van der Werff, a 17th-century painter. The enduring legacy of the name Petrus is a testament to its deep roots in religious and cultural history.
Famous people named Petrus
In this section, you will find notable people named Petrus. 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 Petrus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Petrus 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.
Petrus de Vries is a philosopher best known for his work in ethics and metaphysics.
Petrus van der Werff is a painter best known for his portraits and historical scenes.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Petrus, 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 Petrus. 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 Petrus was first seen in the United States in 2012.
Petrus has ranked as high as #1376 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Petrus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Petrus 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 Petrus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Petrus
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 Petrus.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |