Penelope

Meaning: uncertain; linked to 'weaver' · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope is Odysseus's clever, faithful wife, who weaves and unweaves a shroud to delay her suitors.

Famous people named Penelope

Penélope Cruz (actor)
Penelope Fitzgerald (novelist)

Nicknames

Penny, Nell, Poppy

Variants & related names

Penélope, Pénélope

Penelope name art

A free preview of a printable “Penelope” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Penelope mean?

Penelope means “uncertain; linked to 'weaver'”. It comes from Greek.

Is Penelope a popular name?

Yes — Penelope has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Penelope?

Penny, Nell, Poppy.

What are other forms of Penelope?

Penélope, Pénélope.

Similar names

Tessa · Thea · Evangeline · Kate · Nicole · Alexis

More: names starting with P · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.