How Many People Are Named Penelope?
Complete statistics for the name Penelope: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Penelope means 'weaver' in Greek, fitting for a name steeped in myth and history. It's rare, with just 1 in 3,396 Americans bearing this name, totaling around 97,178 people today. The majority, 82%, are under 30, making it a truly modern choice.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 7 symbolizes introspection, wisdom, and spiritual growth.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 20All 103,263 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2019Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Penelope Through the Generations
Penelope has seen a resurgence in popularity, peaking in 2019 with 6,733 births, reflecting its status as a trendy, contemporary name. Today, 84,398 people named Penelope are under 30, indicating its strong appeal among younger generations. With an average age of 20, it's clear that Penelope remains a favorite among new parents, ensuring its place in the future of naming trends.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Penelope
Penelope, often used in reference to Homer's character, is a female first name of Greek origin. Its meaning is uncertain, but may derive from the Greek word penelops, which means duck or refers to another water fowl sacred to the Ancient Greeks. The name might also be derived from the Greek pene meaning web and either ops meaning eye or lepo, meaning unraveled, implying the meaning weaver. The name was revived in the Anglosphere by the mid-16th century and has since been in occasional use.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Penelope's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Penelope
How Many People Have the Name Penelope?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 97,178 people in the United States currently share the name Penelope. That works out to roughly 1 in every 3,396 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Penelope a Common or Rare Name?
Penelope is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Penelope Mean?
Penelope means "weaver" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Penelope in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Penelope Most Popular?
The name Penelope reached peak popularity in 2019, with 6,733 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Penelope?
Approximately 97,178 people named Penelope live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 103,263. That works out to roughly 1 in 3,396 Americans.
Is Penelope a rare name?
Penelope is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 3,396 Americans has this name.
What does the name Penelope mean?
Penelope means "weaver" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Penelope more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Penelope are male and 100% are female.
When was Penelope most popular?
Penelope peaked in 2019 with 6,733 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.