Penelope
How to say it: puh-NEL-uh-pee · /pəˈnɛləpi/
From Greek, possibly 'thread' + 'face'; name of Odysseus's faithful wife in Homer's Odyssey.
Penelope was the 35th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 6,225 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 5% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #40 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #35 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 6,225 |
| Share of births | 1 in 532 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +5% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #40 |
| In France, 2025 | #452 among girls’ names, 95 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Currently at its finest in the 2020s, Penelope has risen remarkably. Holding its peak at #35, a slight dip is probable soon.
What goes with it
Gentle music across four syllables lends Penelope a literary charm drawn from mythology. Penny works as a cozy short form.
Middle names that flow with Penelope →
Parents who love Penelope also love
Nicknames
- Penny
- Nell
- Nelly
- Pen
- Ellie
- Pippa
Honouring a Penelope in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Penelope is about 1 in 23.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Greek, Italian, Spanish.
In France: #452 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #33. Ireland: #154.
Famous people named Penelope
- Penelope Ann Miller (born 1964)American actress
- Penelope Lively (born 1933)British novelist
- Penelope Wilton (born 1946)English actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Penelope Featherington, secret Lady Whistledown in Netflix's Bridgerton (lead of Season 3).
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