How to say it
pe · NEL · o · pee
pəˈnɛl.ə.pi
Feminine
Penelope
Weaver, or 'duck'
What it means
From the Greek Penelopē (Πηνελόπη). The etymology is disputed: some scholars connect it to pēnē (thread, weft), suggesting weaver; others to pēnelops (a kind of duck) from an older folk version of the myth.
Penelope in the Odyssey is the wife of Odysseus, who waited twenty years for him to return from Troy. She kept her suitors at bay by promising to choose one after she finished weaving a shroud, then secretly unraveling her work each night. The name stayed in literary memory for centuries. Modern American revival started in the 2010s, helped by Kourtney Kardashian's daughter Penelope (2012) and the 2006 film Penelope. Currently US top thirty for girls. Common short forms: Penny, Pen, Nell.
How to spell Penelope
The standard spelling is Penelope. Common variants include Penélope, Penelopa, but Penelope is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #21 in 2022, currently #22 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
Four syllables, puh-NEL-uh-pee. Not three. The final 'pee' often gets swallowed but is part of the name.
- Nickname
Penny is the natural short. Some families use Pippa or Lola, particularly the Bridgerton-influenced cohort.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Penelope (Odyssey) Odysseus's faithful wife, weaving and unweaving for 20 years
- Penélope Cruz Spanish actress, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Volver
- Penelope Featherington Lead in Bridgerton's third season
Spelling variants
- Penélope
- Penelopa
Names with the same feeling
See Penelope from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Penelope mean?
- From the Greek Penelopē (Πηνελόπη). The etymology is disputed: some scholars connect it to pēnē (thread, weft), suggesting weaver; others to pēnelops (a kind of duck) from an older folk version of the myth.
- What does Penelope mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Penelope means "Weaver, or 'duck'." Penelope in the Odyssey is the wife of Odysseus, who waited twenty years for him to return from Troy. She kept her suitors at bay by promising to choose one after she finished weaving a shroud, then secretly unraveling her work each night. The name stayed in literary memory for centuries. Modern American revival started in the 2010s, helped by Kourtney Kardashian's daughter Penelope (2012) and the 2006 film Penelope. Currently US top thirty for girls. Common short forms: Penny, Pen, Nell.
- How do you pronounce Penelope?
- Penelope is pronounced pəˈnɛl.ə.pi. Say it as pe-NEL-o-pee, with the stress on the "nel" syllable.
- How do you spell Penelope?
- The standard spelling is Penelope. Common spelling variants include Penélope, Penelopa.
- Is Penelope a boy or girl name?
- Penelope is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Penelope?
- Penelope ranked #22 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.