Petra is the Female Version of Peter

As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the gaming industry, I‘m often researching the origins and meanings behind popular video game character names. So when asked "what is the female version of Peter?", I realized both names stem from the same ancient Greek root word for "rock".

Petra is the feminine form of Peter, carrying the same symbolism of strength and solidity while having a distinctive womanly identity.

The Meaning Behind Their Shared "Rock" Symbolism

Both Peter and Petra originate from the Greek word "petros", meaning rock or stone. The name Peter became popular because Saint Peter was one of Jesus‘s twelve apostles in the Bible and a prominent early Christian leader.

Petra also has biblical ties, as the ancient holy city carved into Jordanian cliff walls was known as the "Rock" city. Its Semitic name Sela held the same meaning.

So while Peter and Petra have very different histories, they both evoke the enduring image of a rock – which signifies stability, resilience, reliability and a firm foundation upon which to build.

Popularity of Peter vs. Petra Names Over Time

Peter has long been an immensely popular male name, ranking frequently in the top 50 boys names in the U.S. for over a century.

The female name Petra has never cracked the top 1000 list. It was most popular around 1980-2000, likely due to pop culture figures like athlete Petra Thümer and model Petra Nemcova. Even then it was far down the list – only given to a few hundred baby girls per year.

Peter is also far more prevalent in video games, likely because a wider range of ages and eras make it feel like a "default" male name. Certain classic games like Ultima and heroes like Peter Parker (Spiderman) boost its popularity.

I have yet to encounter any major female video game protagonists named Petra. But with more modern, daring games allowing personalized heroines, I speculate Petra could appear as a name reflecting feminine strength. Much like real-world parents, developers seem hesitant about non-traditional female names…for now at least.

Petra and Peter – Shared Symbolism, Distinct Identities

While Peter clearly remains the more common incarnation of this Greek rock name, Petra deserves recognition in its own right. The symbolic durability and fortitude applies equally to men and women.

So in summary – yes, Petra can be considered the female parallel to Peter. Both names appropriately signify earthy stability for either gender. Yet they each bring distinct male and female flavors stemming from history to saints to statistics.

Hopefully this helps explain the background, meaning and comparisons around the female version of this enduring name! Let me know in the comments if you have any other gaming-related naming questions.