Penelope is a name of Greek origin, derived from the word "pēnēlops," which means "weaver." In Greek mythology, Penelope was the wife of the hero Odysseus, who famously weaved and unraveled a shroud during his long absence at war and on his journey home. The name Penelope has been used in English-speaking countries since the 16th century and has remained a popular choice for baby girls.
Penelope rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
- Rank 19. Avery
- Rank 20. Scarlett
- Rank 21. Emily
- Rank 22. Aria
- Rank 23. Penelope
- Rank 24. Chloe
- Rank 25. Layla
- Rank 26. Mila
- Rank 27. Nora
Nicknames for Penelope
| Penny | PEH-nee | A shortened form of Penelope. |
| Nell | NEL | A nickname that comes from the last syllable of Penelope. |
| Nellie | NEL-ee | A variation of Nell. |
| Poppy | PAH-pee | A nickname that is often used in the UK. |
| Pippa | PIP-ah | A nickname that is a diminutive of Philippa, but can also be used for Penelope. |
| Lopey | LOH-pee | A playful nickname that comes from the first syllable of Penelope. |
| Pepa | PEH-pah | A nickname that is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries. |
| Penny Lou | PEH-nee loo | A combination of Penny and Lou, a diminutive of Louise. |
| Penny Lane | PEH-nee layn | A nickname that is a reference to the famous Beatles song. |
| Penny Pie | PEH-nee pie | A playful nickname that combines Penny and Pie. |
Famous people named Penelope
| Penelope Cruz | Actress | Spanish actress known for her roles in films like Volver, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. |
| Penelope Ann Miller | Actress | American actress known for her roles in films like Carlito's Way, Kindergarten Cop, and The Artist. |
| Penelope Lively | Author | British author known for her novels, including Moon Tiger, which won the Booker Prize in 1987. |
| Penelope Fitzgerald | Author | British author known for her novels, including Offshore, which won the Booker Prize in 1979. |
| Penelope Keith | Actress | British actress known for her roles in television shows like The Good Life and To the Manor Born. |
| Penelope Wilton | Actress | British actress known for her roles in television shows like Downton Abbey and films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. |
| Penelope Delta | Author | Greek author known for her children's books, including the classic The Secrets of the Swamp. |
| Penelope Skinner | Playwright | British playwright known for her plays, including The Village Bike and Linda. |
| Penelope Spheeris | Director | American director known for her films, including Wayne's World and The Decline of Western Civilization. |
| Penelope Fitzgerald | Author | British author known for her novels, including Offshore, which won the Booker Prize in 1979. |
Fictional character called Penelope from pop culture
| Penelope Garcia | Criminal Minds character | FBI Technical Analyst |
| Penelope Pitstop | Wacky Races character | Race car driver |
| Penelope Pussycat | Looney Tunes character | Pepé Le Pew's love interest |
| Penelope Taynt | The Amanda Show character | Obsessed fan of Amanda Bynes |
| Penelope Featherington | Bridgerton character | Young debutante in Regency-era London |
| Penelope "Penny" Widmore | Lost character | Daughter of Charles Widmore and Desmond's love interest |
| Penelope "Penny" Proud | The Proud Family character | Main character's mother and doctor |
| Penelope "Penny" Johnson Jerald | 24 character | Actress who played Sherry Palmer |
| Penelope "Penny" Park | The Big Bang Theory character | Zack's wife and ex-girlfriend of Leonard |
| Penelope "Penny" Clearwater | Harry Potter character | Ravenclaw student and love interest of Percy Weasley |
Frequently Asked Questions about Penelope
| What is the origin of the name Penelope? | The name Penelope is of Greek origin. |
| What is the meaning of the name Penelope? | The name Penelope means 'weaver' or 'duck' in Greek. |
| Is Penelope a popular name? | Penelope has become increasingly popular in recent years, ranking #24 in the United States in 2020. |
| What are some famous people with the name Penelope? | Famous people with the name Penelope include Penelope Cruz, Penelope Keith, and Penelope Ann Miller. |
| What are some variations of the name Penelope? | Variations of the name Penelope include Penney, Pennie, and Pénélope (French). |
| What is the nickname for Penelope? | The nickname for Penelope is Penny. |