Meaning & History
Probably derived from Greek πηνέλοψ (penelops), a type of duck. Alternatively it could be from πήνη (pene) meaning "threads, weft" and ὄψ (ops) meaning "face, eye". In Homer's epic the Odyssey this is the name of the wife of Odysseus, forced to fend off suitors while her husband is away fighting at Troy.It has occasionally been used as an English given name since the 16th century. It was moderately popular in the 1940s, but had a more notable upswing in the early 2000s. This may have been inspired by the Spanish actress Penélope Cruz (1974-), who gained prominence in English-language movies at that time. It was already rapidly rising when celebrities Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick gave it to their baby daughter in 2012.
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Animal Crossing characters, animals, birds, Bridgerton characters, celebrity babies, Criminal Minds characters, Desperate Housewives characters, Ever After High characters, Frasier characters, Hamtaro characters, Harry Potter characters, Jane Austen characters, Looney Tunes characters, Orthodox saints, Riverdale characters, Sly Cooper characters, The Loud House characters, Thomas Hardy characters, Two and a Half Men characters, uncertain etymology
Entry updated January 21, 2022