Meaning & History
Petras is the Lithuanian form of Peter, a name of Greek origin derived from Πέτρος (Petros) meaning “stone.” This is a translation of the Aramaic name Cephas, which Jesus gave to the apostle Simon (as recorded in Matthew 16:18 and John 1:42). Saint Peter, considered the first pope, became one of the most revered figures in Christianity, leading to the widespread adoption of his name across Christian cultures.
Etymology and Historical Context
Petras follows the typical Lithuanian adaptation of the name, replacing the initial P of Peter with Petr- and adding the masculine ending -as. The name entered Lithuanian through Christianization in the 13th–14th centuries, paralleling similar forms in other Baltic and Slavic languages. The underlying Greek Petros and its Aramaic equivalent have long been favored for their symbolic meaning of faith and steadfastness, as reflected in Christ’s words: “upon this rock I will build my church.”
Cultural and Religious Significance
In Lithuania, a predominantly Catholic country, Petras is a classic given name tied to the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29. It is also commonly used in compound names like Petras Jonas or Petras Antanas. The name’s popularity waxed and waned over centuries; it was especially common in the early 20th century but has become less frequent since the late 1900s. Surnames such as Petraitis, Petrauskas, and their feminine or married forms (e.g., Petrauskienė, Petraitytė) are derived from Petras, reflecting the patronymic naming tradition in Lithuania.
Beyond the apostle, bearers of the name include notable Lithuanian figures such as Petras Vileišis (1851–1926), an engineer and political activist, and Petras Cvirka (1909–1947), a writer. Among pan-Baltic circles, the name is also related to the synonymous Estonian Peeter and Latvian Pēteris.
Linguistic Variants
Petros (Greek) and Pjetër (Albanian) are cognate forms from the Eastern Mediterranean. In Armenia, Bedros derives from the same root through the region’s biblical tradition. The Coptic forms Botros, Boutros (French spelling) and Butrus (Arabic) demonstrate the name's long presence in Near Eastern Christianity. These variants share the foundational meaning of “stone” or “rock.”
Fact Summary
- Meaning: “stone” (from Greek), through Lithuanian adaptation of Peter
- Origin: Greek, via Christian biblical tradition
- Type: Given name (masculine)
- Usage: Primarily Lithuanian, also used among Lithuanian diaspora
- Related surnames: Petraitis, Petrauskas, Petrauskienė, etc.