Meaning: Its source is Petros, a Greek name meaning "Rock."

Languages: This boy's name is used in Portuguese and Spanish.

Source Forms: Petros

Popularity: The name Pedro ranked 206th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 177th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: Petros, the source of Peter, was a Greek translation of Cephus the Aramaic nickname of one of Jesus' disciples. It was used to distinguish him from another disciple also named Simon, who was known as ''The Zealot.''

Simon the Rock became one of the founders of the Christian religion and, according to Roman Catholic tradition, the first Pope. These achievements, along with Jesus' pun on his name -- ''Upon this Rock I will build my church'' -- assured the evolution of this nickname into a primary name form.