Petrona

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Petrona

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, Latin.
Etymology:
Petrona is either:
1. A feminine form of Peter is the English form of a Greek name, Petros. Petros was, itself, a translation from Aramaic name Cephas. Originally it meant “Rock.”
-and-
2. Petrona, or Petronia, comes from the Roman family name Petronius. The name Petronius is possibly derived from “petros” and thus related to the name Peter.

History:
Petrona, the Roman, was often confused by early Christians with the name Peter, especially as St. Petronella was said to have been the daughter of St. Peter. Therefore, it was often used as the feminine form of Peter.

Petrona can be found in England from the 12th century until the 14th century, when it (in its Middle English form of Pernel, or Parnel) became a slang term for a loose woman (although it survived in Cornwall and Lancashire until the 18th century).

Currently the diminutives Petronella and Pernilla have some currency in Sweden.

Pronunciation: pet-roan-ah.

Diminutives:
Swedish: Pella.

Alternates: Petronia, Petronella, Petronilla.
Danish: Pernille.
English: Petronel, Peronel, Peronelle, Parnel, Pernel.
Spanish: Petronila.
Swedish: Pernilla.

Surnames:
English: Parnall, Parnell, Parnel, Pernell.

Masculine: Peter, Petronius.

Famous Bearers:
Royalty:
Petronilla of Aragón (1135-1174)
Daughter of Ramiro II of Aragón. Mother of Alphoso II of Aragón.

Singers and Entertainers:
Pernilla August (1958-)
Swedish actress.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.001 % named Petronila
less than 0.001 % named Petronilla, Petronella, Pernille, etc.

Popularity of Petrona:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A