Petronella
From Latin Petronella, feminine diminutive of Petronius, a Roman family name possibly derived from petra "rock".
Every Petronella since 1884 — 335 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Petronella
Petronella is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1884, 335 American babies have been named Petronella. Its peak came in 1916, when 19 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Petronella stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Petronella year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,881 |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 13 | #2,744 |
| 1920 | 10 | #3,299 |
| 1915 | 17 | #1,941 |
| 1910 | 6 | #2,351 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Petronella mean?
From Latin Petronella, feminine diminutive of Petronius, a Roman family name possibly derived from petra "rock".
How popular is the name Petronella in 2025?
Petronella did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Petronella?
335 babies have been named Petronella in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Petronella most popular?
Petronella peaked in 1916, when 19 newborns received the name.
Is Petronella a boy or girl name?
Petronella is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Petronella rising or falling?
Petronella has been roughly stable over the past decade.