Pedro
/ˈpe.ðɾo/
Pedro is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Peter, from the Greek Petros meaning “rock” or “stone.” Jesus gave this name to his apostle Simon in the Gospel of John, saying “on this rock I will build my church.”
The name spread through the entire Spanish-speaking world via Catholicism. It became one of the most common masculine names in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America for centuries.
Pedro peaked at No. 188 in 1992 with 1,670 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 401 with 799 births, declining gradually alongside other mid-century Spanish imports.
What the name Pedro means
Brazilian football legend Pelé’s full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but Pedro remains the name of countless Brazilian and Argentine players who followed him.
Two syllables—PAY-droh—carry a confident Romance cadence. In Spanish the stress falls cleanly on the first syllable, giving the name a direct, unhurried delivery.
In the United States, Pedro is strongly associated with Hispanic heritage. The 2004 comedy film Napoleon Dynamite introduced the name to a new non-Hispanic audience through its memorable character.
As Peter continues to decline among Anglo-American families, Pedro offers the same apostolic meaning with a distinctly Latin identity.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Pedro
Pedro - similar names
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