Peter in Chinese
Peter in Chinese is 彼得 (Bǐ Dé).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- rock, stone
Peter is a name of Greek origin, generally understood to mean "rock, stone". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1950s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Pedro.
3 ways to write Peter
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
彼得
Bǐ Dé
The standard transliteration of Peter: 彼 (bǐ, "that (phonetic 'pe')"), 得 (dé, "to obtain (phonetic 'ter')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 彼 (bǐ) carries "pe", 得 (dé) carries "ter". The tone contour is 3-2 (dipping, rising).
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 彼
bǐ
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
that (phonetic 'pe')
- 得
dé
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
to obtain (phonetic 'ter')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
瑾瑜
Jǐn Yú
Inspired by "rock, stone": 瑾 (jǐn, "fine jade") + 瑜 (yú, "fine jade; excellence"), expressing precious stones and steadfastness.
Why these characters?
Because Peter is linked to "rock", the name leads with 瑾 (fine jade); 瑜 (fine jade; excellence) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
28 strokes total (simplified)- 瑾
jǐn
Tone 3 · 15 strokes (simplified)
fine jade
- 瑜
yú
Tone 2 · 13 strokes (simplified)
fine jade; excellence
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
彬瑾
Bīn Jǐn
彬 (bīn, "refined, elegant") + 瑾 (jǐn, "fine jade"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 彼, this uses 彬 (bīn, "refined, elegant") for the "pe" sound, then 瑾 ("fine jade") for meaning.
Character breakdown
26 strokes total (simplified)- 彬
bīn
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
refined, elegant
- 瑾
jǐn
Tone 3 · 15 strokes (simplified)
fine jade
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 574,930 boys named Peter since 1880, with the high point in 1957 (11,593 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #74 to #213 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1957
- Peak decade
- 1950s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 574,930
More About Peter in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Peter offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Peter, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Pedro in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Pedro in Chinese, Landon in Chinese, and Wyatt in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Shawn in Chinese, Carter in Chinese, Devin in Chinese, and Trevor in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Peter, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Peter to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Peter in Chinese?
彼得 (Bǐ Dé), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Peter?
US Social Security records show 574,930 boys named Peter since 1880, with the high point in 1957 (11,593 births) and the busiest decade being the 1950s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #74 to #213 among boys.
How many strokes does 彼得 have?
19 strokes in simplified form; per character: 彼 8, 得 11.