Petrus is a Latin form of the Greek name Peter, which means "rock" or "stone." It was widely used by early Christians and has been popular among Roman Catholics due to its association with Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. In the Middle Ages, Petrus was also quite common in Germany and other parts of Europe. Today, it is still used in various languages, including Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian, as well as in English-speaking countries. Some notable figures have borne this name, such as the Dutch explorer Piet Heyn and the French philosopher Pierre Abélard.
Petrus was given to 5 babies each year from 2012 onwards.