Pete

Pete is a masculine given name, typically a shortened form of Peter in English-speaking countries. It derives from Peter, which itself comes from the Greek Petros, meaning “stone” or “rock.” In everyday use, Pete functions as a familiar form and is often used as an independent given name as well.

Notable people named Pete include Pete Best (British musician, original drummer of the Beatles); Pete Seeger (American folk musician and social activist); Pete Rose (American baseball player and manager); Pete Townshend (English guitarist of The Who); Pete Wentz (American musician, bassist of Fall Out Boy); Pete Buttigieg (American politician, U.S. Secretary of Transportation); Pete Davidson (American comedian and actor); and Pete Sampras (American former professional tennis player).

In fiction, Pete appears as a recurring character in various works, most prominently Disney’s Pete, the long-standing antagonist of Mickey Mouse and friends. The name is also used for other fictional characters, and in works such as Pete’s Dragon, a boy named Pete is the central figure. The usage of the name varies across media and cultures.

Overall, Pete remains a common informal form of Peter and continues to appear in personal names, stage names, and fictional works. Its usage varies by region and era, but it persists as a familiar, easily recognizable name in English-speaking communities.