Penelope is a highly popular girls' name in England & Wales, ranking #32 in 2022 with 1,206 recorded births. This places Penelope in the top 1% of ranked UK girls' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Popular. The name reached its all-time peak in 2022 with 1,206 births ranking #32. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 2,521.7%. In 2022, approximately 1 in every 219 girls born was named Penelope. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Penelope is a graceful Greek classic with a long literary and mythological history. Its exact original meaning is uncertain, which is worth stating plainly rather than forcing a neat answer.
Best known from Greek mythology and later classical literature, Penelope has remained admired for its intelligence, elegance, and rich nickname options. Its modern popularity shows how mythic names can feel very wearable.