Name: Penelope
Meaning: “weaver”
Origin: Greek
Current Popularity: #22
It’s still hard to believe that Penelope is near the top 20 female baby names in the US. It fell out of the top 1000 in 1976 and stayed away for 25 years. In 2001, it reemerged on the charts and continued to rise steadily from there. The name saw another boost after Kourtney Kardashian bestowed the moniker on her daughter in 2012.
Nickname Potential: Pen, Penny, Nell, Nellie, or unexpected options like Poppy, Pippa, and Lola
Associations: A mythological name, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus in the Odyssey. Though these days, the name is probably more associated with actress Penelope Cruz, several celebrity babies, and Harry Potter character Penelope Clearwater. Shonda Rhimes’s Bridgerton (based on the novels by Julia Quinn) is the latest in the slew of pop-culture associations for this name, with character Penelope Featherington making waves as a fan favorite.
Similar Names: Aurelia, Camille, Cassandra, Cordelia, Daphne, Eliza, Ella, Genevieve, Harlow, Helena, Imogen, Isadora, Lucy, Matilda, Margot, Penny, Persephone, Piper, Seraphina, Xanthe
Why We Love It: Penelope is a name that just makes us happy; it’s fun to say. And for all its recent celebrity-baby namesakes, it has a history that keeps it grounded, as well a literary bent for lovers of Greek mythology. It’s also a name that has both playful nickname options and is sophisticated in its long form.
Who Might Like It: Parents with Greek heritage might like the name for its cultural ties, and lovers of mythology will appreciate its history. Once a quirky, whimsical choice, Penelope is now mainstream and may even be popular in some circles. But with so many fun nickname choices, Penelope gives parents lots of options to stand out.