Peter \p(e)-ter\ as a boy's name is pronounced PEE-ter. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Peter is "rock". Variant of Petros. Biblical: one of the 12 apostles, Peter the fisherman was impulsive and had strong faith. Jesus said of him, "Upon this Rock I will build my church". In Catholic tradition, the first pope. The play "Peter Pan" has made the name popular. Pieter is a Dutch form; Petrov and Pyotr are Russian; Pierre is French; Boutros is Arabic. See also Pernell. Artists Piero della Francesca, Peter Paul Rubens; Russian emperor Peter the Great; actors Peter O'Toole, Peter Krause; Peter Rabbit; film directors Peter Jackson, Peter Bogdanovich; tennis player Pete Sampras.
Peter has 21 variant forms: Boutros, Par, Peder, Pedro, Pekka, Per, Petar, Pete, Peterson, Petr, Petre, Petros, Petrov, Pierce, Piero, Pierre, Piet, Pieter, Pietro, Piotr and Pyotr.
For more information, see also related names Cephas, Ferris, Parkins, Pekelo, Perkin and Piers.