Find out how popular the first name Petar has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Petar by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Petar is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 14 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Petar.

The history of the first name Petar

The given name Petar has its origins in the Greek name Petros, which is derived from the word "petra" meaning "rock" or "stone". The name gained popularity after it was used for one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, who was known as Saint Peter.

The earliest recorded use of the name Petar dates back to the 1st century AD, when it was borne by the apostle Simon Peter, who is regarded as the first pope of the Catholic Church. Peter was a fisherman from Galilee who became one of the closest disciples of Jesus.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Petar. One of the most renowned was Petar II Petrović-Njegoš (1813-1851), a Montenegrin ruler, philosopher, and poet who is revered as the supreme literary representative of the Serbs. His literary works, including the epic poem "The Mountain Wreath", are considered masterpieces of Serbo-Croatian literature.

Another notable figure was Petar Krugović (1608-1670), a Serbian Orthodox Patriarch who played a crucial role in the Serbian national and cultural revival during the 17th century. His efforts helped preserve the Serbian Orthodox faith and cultural identity during a period of Ottoman rule.

In the realm of art, Petar Lubarda (1907-1974) was a renowned Serbian painter and one of the most significant artists of the 20th century in the former Yugoslavia. His works, which often depicted scenes from everyday life, are celebrated for their vibrant colors and expressive brushwork.

Petar Zrinski (1621-1671) was a Croatian ban (viceroy) and military leader who led an uprising against the Habsburg Monarchy in the 17th century. His rebellion, known as the Zrinski–Frankopan Conspiracy, aimed to secure Croatian independence but was ultimately suppressed.

Petar Hektorović (1487-1572) was a Croatian writer and poet from the Renaissance period. His work "Ribanje i ribarsko prigovaranje" (Fishing and Fishermen's Talk) is considered one of the most significant literary works of the Croatian Renaissance and a masterpiece of Chakavian Renaissance literature.

While the name Petar has its roots in Greek and has been popular in various cultures throughout history, it has been particularly widespread in Slavic countries, particularly in Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro, where it has been borne by numerous notable figures from different walks of life.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Petar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Petar, please contact us.

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