A graceful classical favourite which can now also claim
a sassy Hollywood image.
Origin: |
There are several attested etymologies put forward for Penelope. The first, and in my opinion the least likely, is that it comes from the Greek πηνελοψ penelops, a sacred bird in Greek mythology, resembling a Widgeon. Others derive it from the Greek πηνη pene "thread, web" and ωψ ops "eye, face", or, more likely, from pene "thread, web" and lepo "unravel, unroll." In many cases with names from Greek mythology there is a fine line between the origin of the name, and the origin of the myth. There is very much a "which came first, the myth or the name?" scenario. Sometimes myths were embellished and adapted to explain the etymology of a name that was passed down from archaic times. Other times the names were adapted to fit the characters' traits and behaviour in the story. According to the Greeks, Penelope was the faithful wife of Odysseus who waited for twenty years for his return from the Trojan War. Many suitors tried to force her into remarriage, but in a bid to fend them off Penelope declared that she would weave a shroud for her father-in-law (Penelope's Web) before she chose another spouse. Every night she would secretly unravel her weaving so that the choosing would be delayed. For this reason the etymology of "unravelled thread/web" is perhaps the most plausible. It is possible that the penelops duck also derived its name from pene "web" due its web-like pattern. On the other hand, one myth did connect Penelope to the duck, claiming that she was rescued by a penelops duck after her father had tried to drown her as a baby, but this is somewhat of a side story whereas the weaving element is a much more prevalent mytheme. Either way, the name Penelope became synonymous with faithfulness and loyalty. |
Usage: |
Penelope was first used as a name in Britain in the 16th century. Penelope Devereux (b.1562) is thought to have been the first bearer of the name in Britain and there are a few examples of its use in the following decades. Although it has never been hugely popular, it has been used consistantly, reached a peak in the 1940s when it ranked #72, and was #82 in the 1950s. In 2010 Penelope ranked #272 with 181 births in England and Wales, having risen from #328 in 2009. In Scotland the name ranked #634 with only 4 births. |
Famous Bearers: |
* Penelope Gilliatt was a British novelist and screenwriter. |
Pronunciation: |
pe-NELL-ə-pee [key] |
Possible diminutives: |
Ella, Elle, Ellie, Lena, Leni, Lola, Lonie, Nell, Nena, Noelie, Nopi, Ollie, Penny, Polly, Poppy |
Sibling Names: |
Constance Rosanna Genevieve Annabel Evangeline Felicity |
Name Lists: |
Vintage Upright Elegance Mythology Nymphs Jane Austen Operatic Appellations Names of Roses |
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