Petros is a Greek male given name derived from the Greek word "petra," which means "stone" or "rock." It is believed to have originated from the Greek mythological figure Petras, who was said to be able to turn into stone. The name has been used in Greece for centuries and is still popular today.
The name Petros has a rich history and has been borne by several notable figures throughout the years. One of the most famous individuals with this name is Saint Peter, also known as Simon Peter or Simeon Petrus, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ according to Christian tradition. He is considered the first pope and the founder of the Catholic Church.
In addition to its religious significance, Petros has also been used in literature and art. For example, it is the name of the protagonist in Nikos Kazantzakis' novel "Zorba the Greek," which was later adapted into a popular film. The name has also been used by several artists and musicians, including Petros Kl bomboules, a famous Greek musician known for his rebetiko music.
Overall, Petros is a strong and distinctive name with deep roots in Greek culture and history. It continues to be used today as a symbol of strength, courage, and tradition.
The name Petros has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1964 and 2023, there were a total of 690 babies named Petros, with the number of births ranging from as low as 7 to as high as 20 in any given year.
The name's popularity peaked during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with 19 births recorded in 1979 and 16 births each in 1981 and 1982. However, it experienced a significant drop thereafter, with fewer than 15 births per year from 1983 to 1994.
The early 1990s saw a slight resurgence, with the number of births ranging between 10 and 16 from 1991 to 1995. This trend continued until the late 1990s and early 2000s, with varying numbers of births each year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Petros has been relatively stable, with between 7 and 13 births recorded annually from 2007 to 2023. Despite fluctuations in its popularity over the decades, the name Petros remains a distinct choice for parents in the United States, with each birth representing a unique addition to America's diverse population of namesakes.