Find out how popular the first name Petrona has been for the last 37 years (from 1987 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Petrona by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Petrona is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 21 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Petrona.

The history of the first name Petrona

The name Petrona has its origins in the Late Latin word "Petronia," which is derived from the Roman family name "Petronius." The name Petronius is believed to have been derived from the Latin word "petra," meaning "rock" or "stone." This suggests that the name Petrona may have originally been associated with strength, durability, or a connection to the natural world.

Petrona was a relatively common name among early Christian communities, particularly in the Mediterranean region. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the 6th century, when a woman named Petrona lived in the Italian city of Aquileia. She was known for her piety and charitable works, and was later venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.

In the Middle Ages, the name Petrona gained popularity in various parts of Europe, particularly in Spain and Italy. One notable figure from this period was Petrona de Braganza, a Portuguese noblewoman who lived in the 14th century. She was renowned for her devotion to charitable causes and founded several monasteries and hospitals.

During the Renaissance, the name Petrona continued to be used, though it was less common than other feminine names of the time. One notable bearer of the name was Petrona Riccia, an Italian painter who lived in the 16th century and was known for her religious works and portraits.

In the 18th century, Petrona Camilla Miglio was an Italian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the fields of celestial mechanics and the calculation of planetary orbits. She was one of the few women of her time to achieve recognition in the sciences.

As the name Petrona spread across Europe, it also found its way to the Americas through Spanish and Portuguese colonization. In the late 18th century, Petrona Rosende de Sierra was a Cuban writer and poet who was celebrated for her literary works and her advocacy for women's education.

While the name Petrona has fallen out of widespread use in modern times, it continues to hold historical significance and resonance, particularly in regions where it has deep cultural roots. Its connection to strength, endurance, and natural elements has given it a lasting appeal throughout the centuries.

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 Petrona was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!