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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Ptolemy

Ptolemy

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced TOL-uh-mee /ˈtΙ’l.Ι™.mi/Medium

Meaning: From the Greek Ptolemaios, 'warlike; aggressive.' Borne by the Macedonian dynasty that ruled Egypt (the Ptolemies) and by the great astronomer Ptolemy. Note the initial P is silent.Low

In 30 seconds: A grand Greek name: Ptolemy means 'warlike' (said 'TOL-uh-mee'). Regal and storied - the P is silent.
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningFrom the Greek Ptolemaios, 'warlike; aggressive.' Borne by the Macedonian dynasty that ruled Egypt (the Ptolemies) and by the great astronomer Ptolemy. Note the initial P is silent.
U.S. rank (2023)#13670 β†˜ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 50

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 201620032023

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

Ptolemy comes from the Greek for 'warlike,' carried by the Ptolemaic pharaohs of Egypt and the astronomer Ptolemy. It reads regal and storied - rare in the U.S. (said 'TOL-uh-mee').

It is extremely rare in the U.S.

Did you know? Ptolemy is Greek for 'warlike' - the name of the Macedonian dynasty of Egypt and of the astronomer Ptolemy; the initial P is silent, a classic quirk (said 'TOL-uh-mee').
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Ptolemy β€” Greek Ptolemaios 'warlike'; Ptolemaic dynasty/astronomer; silent P

Variations

PtolomyTolomeoPtolemaios

Nicknames

TolLemmy

Famous Bearers

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Explore names like Ptolemy

By themegreekregalclassicalstoried
By meaningWarrior

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ptolemy mean?

Ptolemy is Greek for 'warlike,' borne by the Macedonian pharaohs of Egypt and the astronomer Ptolemy.

How do you pronounce Ptolemy?

It's said TOL-uh-mee /ˈtΙ’l.Ι™.mi/ - three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ptolemy a boy or girl name?

Ptolemy is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Ptolemy?

Ptolemy is extremely rare in the U.S.

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