All about the name

Pierre

Male

« Pierre is a historic French name originating from the Greek Peter, meaning "rock" or "stone," reflecting its holder's steadfastness and reliability. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Pierre is a classic French given name derived from the Greek name Peter, which means "rock" or "stone". This name has been widely used in France and other French-speaking countries for centuries. The name Pierre was popularized by Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles, who was often depicted as a strong and steadfast individual. In the New Testament, Jesus gives Peter the nickname "Cephas," which means "rock" or "stone" in Aramaic, thus emphasizing his importance and reliability. The name Pierre has been worn by numerous notable figures throughout history, such as Pierre Abelard, a medieval French philosopher and logician; Pierre Curie, a Nobel laureate physicist who discovered radioactivity alongside his wife Marie Skłodowska Curie; and Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a Canadian politician who served as the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1984. In France, the name Pierre is often associated with strength, resilience, and wisdom. It is also considered to be a timeless classic that remains popular today among parents looking for traditional French names for their sons.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Pierre since 1880

Total births
18,749
Total since 1880
Peak year
1988
475 births
in 2023
176
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+22%
vs previous 5 years