Penelope - Names
Meaning of the name Penelope
Gender:
Female
Meaning:
weaver (from Greek: pene: thread),
duck (from Greek: penelops).
History & etymology:
Penelope is a name of Greek origin. It stems either from the word pene meaning thread, weft or from penelops, a species of duck. Its first written record can be found in the Greek Mythology. In Homer’s Odyssey, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus. She is often recognized as a symbol of faithfulness in marriage, as she had rejected numerous suitors over years of her husband’s absence.
The Patron Saint of the name is St. Penelope, recognized by the Greek Orthodox Church. She lived in Thrace around 4th century and was one of the Holy Forty Virgin Martyrs. St. Penelope offended Roman Emperor Licinius by refusing to reject her faith. Consequently, she was put to death after suffering a long time of tortures.
Her feast day is celebrated on 1st September.
Alternative spellings & nicknames:
Diminutives: Penny, Pene, Pen
Similar names in other languages & name days:
Greece
1st September: Penelope
Italy
5th May: Penelope
Poland
5th May: Penelopa
Slovak Republic
1st August: Penelopa
USA
2nd July: Penelope, Penny
Famous people named Penelope:
Penelope Cruz (1974-) - Spanish actress
Penelope Delta (1874 - 1941) - Greek writer
Penelope Dudley-Ward (1914 - 1982) - English actress
Penelope Fitzgerald (1916 - 2000) - award-winning English writer
Penelope Heyns (1974-) - South African swimmer
Penelope Keith (1940-) - English actress
penelope Mortimer (1918 - 1999) - British journalist
Penelope Lady Rich (1562 - 1607) - English noblewoman
Penelope Tree (1949-) - English fashion model of the swinging sixties
Penelope Wilton (1946-) - English actress
Fun facts:
Popularity (2015)
USA: 34th
England and Wales: 69th
Canada: 78th
Australia: 70th
New Zealand: 78th
France: 288th
Italy: 139th
Lucky colors: blue, green
Lucky stone: Turquoise
Ruling planet: Jupiter
Characteristics: fearless, expressive, analytical, adventurous
Penny is one of the main characters in American sitcom The Big Bang Theory.