Penelope is a highly popular girls' name in United States, ranking #28 in 2024 with 5,741 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2019 with 6,733 births ranking #22. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 7,076.3%. In 2024, approximately 1 in every 281 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.