Penelope (given name)
Penelope, often used in reference to Homer's character, is a female first name of Greek origin. It is of uncertain meaning but may be derived from the Greek word penelops, which means duck or refers to another water fowl sacred to the Ancient Greeks. The name might also be derived from the Greek pene meaning web and either ops meaning eye or lepo, meaning unraveled, implying the meaning weaver. The name was revived in the Anglosphere by the mid-16th Century and has since been in occasional use. Popularity The name has increased in popularity in recent years. It is among the most popular names for girls in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, and the United States. People Penelope, Lady Aitken (1910–2005), English socialite Penelope Aubin, English novelist Penelope Austin, Australian singer-songwriter Penelope Blount, Countess of Devonshire (1562–1607), English noblewoman Penelope Boston, American speleologist Penelope Carwardine, English painter Penelope Casas, American food writer Penelope Chetwode, English travel writer Penelope Coelen, South African beauty pageant contestant Penélope Cruz (born 1974), Spanish actress Penelope Delta (1874–1941), Greek author Penelope Dudley-Ward (1914–1982), English actress Penelope Fillon (born 1955), wife of French politician and former Prime Minister of France François Fillon