Ukrainian names — pronunciation, meaning, origin

Petro — Pronunciation, Meaning & Origin

Male Ukrainian name (Петро)

Pronunciation

Pronunciation card for Petro
/pɛˈtrɔ/ · pet-RO
Listen on YouTube →

Meaning

Petro (Ukrainian: Петро) is a male name of Greek origin meaning «stone», «rock». A name of firmness, reliability, and steadfastness.

Origin & History

The name derives from Ancient Greek Πέτρος (Pétros), formed from πέτρα (pétra, «rock, stone»). This is the Greek translation of the Aramaic nickname «Cephas» (Kêphâ, «stone») that Jesus Christ gave to the Apostle Simon, saying: «On this rock I will build my Church». So the Apostle Peter became the symbolic foundation of the Christian church and one of the most venerated saints. The Ukrainian form Petro is the native variant, with final «-o» characteristic of Ukrainian morphology (in contrast with Russian Pyotr). The name was borne by numerous hetmans, the most famous being Petro Sahaidachny, kish otaman of the Zaporozhian Host (early 17th century).

Etymology & Roots

From Greek Pétros («stone»), itself a translation of Aramaic Kêphâ; root petra («rock»).

International equivalents

Equivalents in other languages: Peter (English, German, Dutch, Swedish), Pierre (French), Pedro (Spanish, Portuguese), Pietro (Italian), Piotr (Polish), Petr (Czech), Pyotr / Пётр (Russian), Petros (Greek), Pekka (Finnish), Peadar (Irish, Scottish).

Diminutives and short forms

Петрусичок, Чок, Петрусь, Петько, Петрусьо, Петрусик.

Declension (Ukrainian)

NominativeПетро
GenitiveПетра
DativeПетрові
AccusativeПетра
InstrumentalПетром
LocativeПетрові
VocativeПетре

Українська версія сторінки →