Peter is one of the classic if not fashionable baby names that may be more appealing in one of its international variations.

Variations of Peter

Peter is derived from the Greek Petros, meaning “rock” or “stone.” One of the most important figures in the Christian hagiography is Saint Peter, keeper of the Gates of Heaven. Born Simon bar Jonah, he was given the nickname Peter by Jesus, to signify that he would be the rock on which Christ would build Christianity. Centuries later, there was Peter the Great, the czar who developed Russia as a major European power.
 
For generations, there have been pleasant childhood associations with this classic New Testament name, what with Peter Rabbit, Peter Pan, et al. But as user-friendly as this makes the name, it has a solid, traditional side as well.
 
Never as widely used as some of the more traditional Anglo-Saxon stalwarts, Peter retains an enduring appeal to parents seeking a less-used classic, with those nice childhood associations. Peter also has some interesting derivatives: The Brits like Piers; the Irish, Pierce and Pearse; the Italians, Piero and Pietro; the Spanish, Pedro; the French, Pierre; and the Dutch, Piet.
 
One potential problem: in some parts of the world, "peter" can be a slang term for "penis".

Peter

One of the most familiar—if not stereotypical—Gallic names. 

Pierre

Yet another winning international form of Peter. 

Pietro

Piero is elegant, melodic, appealing. Just picture the muted frescoes of Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca.


Piero

Pedro is one of the most familiar <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/496/spanish-names-for-boys">Spanish names for boys</a>, via baseball star Pedro Rodriguez and many others.

Pedro

This is a straightforward choice for parents looking to honor their Greek ancestry. 

Panos

Wonderful nickname name most often associated in this country with Dutch modernist painter Mondrian. Pronounced PEET.

Piet

For Americans, may prove too much of a twist on Peter. 

Pyotr

So simple, yet so unique: a prime candidate for export. Pronunciation is like the English pair or pear.

Pieter

Peder?  You mean Peter?  You'll have to do a lot of spelling and explaining of this one. 

Peder

Pello

A variant transcription of Russian Pyotr, and also the Polish and Belarusian form of Peter, classic and still very popular there. 

Piotr

The Finnish form of Peter was most common in its culture of origin in the 1950s and '60s.

Pekka

An unexplored choice, evocative of the snowcapped Andes, with a pleasant, catchy sound.