Simon the fisherman was given a new name by Jesus — thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. Impulsive, bold, and deeply human, Peter walked on water and then sank, confessed Christ and then denied him three times, and was tenderly restored by the risen Jesus with a threefold feed my sheep.
Transformed at Pentecost, he preached the sermon that added three thousand to the church in a day, and wrote two letters full of hope for suffering believers. His name means rock — the steady man he became by grace.
Peter is a timeless, dignified classic — strong and warm, shortened affectionately to Pete.
Variants & nicknames
Pete, Pedro, Pierre, Pietro, Petros
Peter in the Bible
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.