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Home › Baby Names Directory › Petronella

Petronella

♀ Girl

Pronounced pet-ruh-NEL-uh /ˌpɛtrəˈnɛlə/Medium

Meaning: Petronella is a Latin feminine name derived from the Roman family name Petronius, later linked to Peter, from the Greek petros meaning rock or stone. It has long been used in Dutch, Scandinavian, and English tradition, borne by an early Christian saint.Medium

In 30 seconds: Petronella is a Latin girl's name tied to Peter, meaning rock or stone. It reached a small number of American families early in the twentieth century (said pet-ruh-NEL-uh).
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Origin MediumLatin, Greek
MeaningPetronella is a Latin feminine name derived from the Roman family name Petronius, later linked to Peter, from the Greek petros meaning rock or stone. It has long been used in Dutch, Scandinavian, and English tradition, borne by an early Christian saint.
U.S. rank (1949)#5111 ↗ Rising
1949 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1916
Total births (all-time)≈ 335

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191918841949

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Petronella descends from the Roman Petronius and became associated with Peter, the Greek petros or rock. A genuine heritage name, it stayed alive in the Low Countries and Scandinavia.

It was never common in America, given to only about twenty girls a year at most, clustering around the nineteen-teens with immigrant families. A Petronella from then would be a great-grandmother today.

Did you know? Petronella was the name of an early Roman saint honored in the church, which helped carry it through Dutch and Scandinavian families for centuries.
Overall data confidence 70%
References - Petronella — Latin feminine of Petronius, linked to Peter (Greek petros, rock); early saint Petronilla

Variations

PetronillaPernillaPetronela

Nicknames

NellaNellPetra

Famous Bearers

  • ★Saint Petronilla (1st-3rd century)
    early Christian saint venerated in Rome

If you like Petronella…

Petra— a like feminine of Peter, rock
Cornelia— a similar Latin heritage girl's name
Wilhelmina— shares the long formal Dutch feel
Henrietta— another stately feminine heritage name

Explore names like Petronella

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Petronella mean?

It is a feminine form of Petronius, linked to Peter, from the Greek petros meaning rock or stone.

How do you pronounce Petronella?

It is said pet-ruh-NEL-uh /ˌpɛtrəˈnɛlə/, four syllables stressed on the third.

Is Petronella a boy or girl name?

Petronella is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Petronella?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty girls a year around the nineteen-teens, though it has deep roots in Europe.

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