Petar is a Slavic name of Croatian origin. It is derived from the name Peter, which has a long and rich history in various cultures around the world.
The name Petar means "rock" or "stone" in Croatian. This meaning comes from the Greek word "petros," which also translates to "rock." The name has been popular among Croatians for centuries, with many historical figures bearing the name Petar.
One of the most notable figures with this name is Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and a key figure in Christianity. In fact, the Croatian version of his name, Sveti Petar, is celebrated as a public holiday on November 26th in Croatia.
Another famous Petar was Petar Kresimir IV, who ruled Croatia from 1058 to 1074. He was known for his military prowess and played a significant role in defending the Croatian coast against Venetian invasions.
Today, Petar remains a popular name among Croatians, with many families choosing it for their newborn sons. While its meaning may be simple, the name carries a deep historical significance and has been worn proudly by generations ofCroatians throughout the centuries.
The name Petar experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, with notable peaks in certain decades. The 1960s saw a consistent number of births each year, averaging around 6-8 births annually. The 1970s and early 1980s showed some variation, with spikes reaching as high as 13 births in 1978 and 1985. The mid to late 1980s saw a decline, with fewer than 10 births per year. However, from the late 1990s onwards, the popularity of the name Petar began to rise again, reaching a peak of 21 births in 2006. Since then, the number of annual births has oscillated between 7 and 20, with recent years showing an upward trend once more. In total, there have been 613 recorded births with the name Petar since 1963.