Peter Dowd

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Peter Dowd — rock
572K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Peter Dowd is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Peter is a masculine given name of Greek origin. From the Greek Petros (Πέτρος), meaning "rock" — a translation of the Aramaic Cephas. The first pope of the Catholic Church. The surname Dowd: Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced [oː ˈd̪ˠuːd̪ˠə]), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. Alice Mary Dowd (1855–1943), educator, author Ann Dowd (born 1956), American actress Bernard J. Dowd (1891–1971), Mayor of Buffalo, New York Charles F. Dowd (1825–1904), American educator who proposed U.S. time zones Clement Dowd (1832–1898), American politician David Dudley Dowd Jr. Peter is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 572K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Peter reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Peter

Meaning: rock

Greek

From the Greek Petros (Πέτρος), meaning "rock" — a translation of the Aramaic Cephas. The first pope of the Catholic Church.

Surname: Dowd

Irish

Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced [oː ˈd̪ˠuːd̪ˠə]), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. Alice Mary Dowd (1855–1943), educator, author Ann Dowd (born 1956), American actress Bernard J. Dowd (1891–1971), Mayor of Buffalo, New York Charles F. Dowd (1825–1904), American educator who proposed U.S. time zones Clement Dowd (1832–1898), American politician David Dudley Dowd Jr.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Peter is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 22%
Australia 9%
Greece 8%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Peter by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Name Variants & Related Names

The name Peter has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Pete
  • Pietro
  • Pedro
  • Pieter
  • Piotr
  • Petros

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Peter Dowd:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

7
Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

4
Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Peter?
The first name Peter originates from Greek. From the Greek Petros (Πέτρος), meaning "rock" — a translation of the Aramaic Cephas. The first pope of the Catholic Church.
When was Peter most popular?
The name Peter reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Dowd?
The surname Dowd originates from Irish. Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced [oː ˈd̪ˠuːd̪ˠə]), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. Alice Mary Dowd (1855–1943), educator, author Ann Dowd (born 1956), American actress Bernard J. Dowd (1891–1971), Mayor of Buffalo, New York Charles F. Dowd (1825–1904), American educator who proposed U.S. time zones Clement Dowd (1832–1898), American politician David Dudley Dowd Jr.
What are the origins of the name Peter Dowd?
The name Peter Dowd combines two different traditions: the first name Peter has Greek roots, while the surname Dowd originates from Irish.
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