Pedro - Name Meaning and Origin
- Origin
- Spanish, Portuguese
- Meaning
- Rock
- Pronunciation
- PEH-droh
- Gender
- Male
- Variations
- Peter, Petros, Pietro, Pierre, Piotr
- Notable Namesakes
- Pedro Almodóvar (Spanish filmmaker)
- King Pedro I of Portugal (Portuguese monarch)
- King Pedro II of Portugal (Portuguese monarch)
- King Pedro of Castile (Spanish monarch, also known as Pedro the Cruel)
Etymology & Heritage
The name Pedro is the Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Peter, derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning rock. This linguistic origin carries profound biblical significance, as Jesus renamed his disciple Simon as Peter (Petros), declaring you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church. This etymological foundation imbues the name with connotations of steadfastness and stability.
As Pedro, the name has flourished throughout Latin and Iberian cultures, becoming deeply integrated into the cultural lexicon of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions. The name's historical resonance is evidenced by its frequent appearance among the royalty and nobility of the Iberian Peninsula, including several monarchs who bore this distinguished name.
Character & Essence
Pedro embodies qualities of strength, reliability, and endurance—attributes directly connected to its meaning of rock. The name's phonetic structure contributes to this impression, with the strong, percussive P at the beginning followed by the smooth edro, creating a name that sounds both assertive and enduring.
The biblical association lends Pedro a sense of spiritual foundation and dependability. Those bearing the name might be perceived as individuals upon whom others can rely, echoing the symbolic role of Peter as the rock upon which the church was built. This combination of strength and steadiness forms the essential character of the name Pedro.