Penelope

Penelope is a feminine name of Greek origin, and its true meaning is laced with mystery. Many etymologists agree on a "weaver" theme, with some theories of Penelope's roots translating to "needle and thread" or "thread on the bobbin." These meanings complement the role of Penelope's character in Homer's Odyssey, where Penelope is the queen of Ithaca and wife of Odysseus. While her husband is on his 20-year hero's journey, Penelope cleverly staved off the many suitors who came to her by promising to choose a new husband after she finished weaving a burial shroud for her father-in-law. The catch: Each night, she would undo her work to delay her progress. By doing this, she was able to remain autonomous of herself and partnered with Odysseus until he finally returned.

With intelligence and creativity interwoven through this name, Penelope sets your child up for success. Its dreamy, elegant flow makes it a perfect choice for lovers of fantasy and classical romance. Whether you look forward to or worry about the many nicknames a long name like Penelope might inspire, our very own Lauren Barth offers this reassurance: “Penelope feels like a princess name—with whimsy and magic to spare. That's exactly what I wanted for my first daughter's name. It's also why I pushed back on the nickname Penny for so long; it's punchy and cute, but lacking the fairytale vibes I was originally going for. Of course, eventually, my girl decided to embrace the nickname for herself. All good—she's equal parts charming and sassy. The perfect Penelope and Penny.”