An uncommon Greek pick — distinctive and rare.
A diminutive of the male given name Peter.
Pete is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, a short form of Peter meaning 'rock' or 'stone,' from the Greek petra. With over 43,000 U.S. births, Pete was a beloved American name through much of the 20th century.
Pete Seeger, Pete Townshend, Pete Rose, Pete Davidson — the name has been carried by musicians, athletes, and comedians with equal ease, giving it a warm, everyman quality.
Pete was #1551 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3076, but its charm endures.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 258 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 599 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 893 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,338 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 1,964 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 2,855 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 5,153 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 5,928 | — |
| 1940s | 6,130 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5,529 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 6,285 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 4,352 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 949 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 651 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 590 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40 | #3076 |
| 2023 | 54 | #2501 |
| 2022 | 55 | #2508 |
| 2021 | 58 | #2367 |
| 2020 | 51 | #2536 |
| 2019 | 44 | #2837 |
| 2018 | 60 | #2277 |
| 2017 | 56 | #2333 |
| 2016 | 49 | #2581 |
| 2015 | 62 | #2202 |
| 2014 | 70 | #2038 |
| 2013 | 63 | #2133 |
| 2012 | 64 | #2123 |
| 2011 | 66 | #2048 |
| 2010 | 65 | #2088 |
| 2009 | 82 | #1818 |
| 2008 | 88 | #1733 |
| 2007 | 89 | #1709 |
| 2006 | 88 | #1636 |
| 2005 | 80 | #1689 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Pete has also been given to 170 girls in the U.S. since 1916.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology