Fun Facts About the Name Pepe
- 155 babies named Pepe: U.S. records list 155 babies given the name Pepe from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Pepe Mean?
Pepe is a Spanish familiar form (a hypocoristic) of the given name José, the Spanish form of Joseph, and it has no separate etymology of its own. José comes from Latin Iosephus, from Greek Ioseph, from Hebrew Yosef, a name built on the verb yasaf, "to add"; it is usually translated "He will add" or "may He add."
The explanation given in most reference works is that Pepe comes from an older Spanish form of the name, Josepe, through doubling of the final syllable. The same pattern produced Pepa from Josefa. A different story, repeated often but undocumented, treats Pepe as a shortening of the Latin phrase Pater Putativus ("putative father"), a label sometimes attached to Joseph in Nativity scenes; that account is a folk etymology rather than a documented derivation.
Pepe Name History & Origins
Joseph was an important name in Christian Spain because of devotion to Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, and it passed into Spanish as José by way of Latin Iosephus and Greek Ioseph from Hebrew Yosef. Because the name was so common, Spanish speakers created short everyday forms for it, and Pepe became one of the standard affectionate versions, alongside Pepito and Pepillo and regional variants such as Chepe in Costa Rica.
Pepe is used as a nickname for men named José throughout Spain, Mexico, and Latin America, and it is also given directly as a first name in Spanish-speaking communities. It is specifically Spanish; Portuguese uses Zé for José, and the Italian short form Peppe belongs to Giuseppe, a separate development from the same underlying Joseph name. The Italian word pepe ("pepper") and the Italian surname Pepe are unrelated to the Spanish nickname.
How Popular is the Name Pepe?
Pepe has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1962. Its best rank was #2,634 in 1962.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | #12,005 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #10,209 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #8,482 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #4,888 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #5,868 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #3,782 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1977 | #6,588 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #3,863 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1974 | #5,080 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1973 | #5,678 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1972 | #4,321 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #5,461 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #3,220 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1968 | #3,595 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1967 | #3,173 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1966 | #4,376 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1963 | #2,808 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1962 | #2,634 | 11 | 0.0005% |
| 1961 | #3,288 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1960 | #3,955 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #3,893 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1957 | #4,409 | 5 | 0.0002% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with P
Short Boy Names That Start with P
How the Name Pepe Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Pepe's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Pepe's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.