Pedro is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the word "peter." It means "rock" or "stone" in English and has been popular among Spanish-speaking populations for centuries.
The name Pedro is believed to have originated from the Greek word "Petros," which also means "rock." This name was given to Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles. Saint Peter is known as the first pope of the Catholic Church and is considered a key figure in early Christian history.
In Spain, Pedro has been used as a personal name since at least the 12th century. It became particularly popular during the Middle Ages, when it was often given to newborn boys as a symbol of strength and stability, much like its meaning suggests.
Over time, Pedro has spread beyond Spain's borders and can now be found in many different countries around the world. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their baby boy. Despite its origins in the Catholic Church, Pedro is not exclusively associated with religious or spiritual meanings and can be given to children regardless of their family's beliefs.
In terms of famous individuals named Pedro, some notable figures include Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral, who discovered Brazil; Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata's brother, Pedro Zapata; and American actor Pedro Pascal, known for his roles in "Game of Thrones" and "The Mandalorian." These examples demonstrate the global reach and enduring appeal of this timeless name.
The name Pedro experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. Initially, it maintained a steady but low number of births per year, ranging from a high of 44 in 1902 to a low of 19 in 1887. However, starting around 1950, there was a substantial increase in its popularity, reaching a peak of 1670 births in 1992. This trend continued until the late 1990s, with over 1600 births per year occurring consistently from 1997 to 1999. Since then, the popularity of the name Pedro has declined, with fewer than 900 births recorded annually since 2014, and dropping as low as 721 in 2020. Despite these fluctuations, the total number of births for the name Pedro over the 135-year period is 92587.