Petru

Petru is a masculine given name used in Romanian-speaking areas, and it is the Romanian form of Peter. It derives from the Latin Petrus, which comes from the Greek Petros, meaning rock or stone. The name has religious associations through Saint Peter and has been common in Romania and Moldova in historical and modern contexts. Its international equivalents include Pietro (Italian), Pierre (French), Pedro (Spanish and Portuguese), Petr (several Slavic languages), and Peter in English. In Romanian usage, diminutives such as Petrică are common, and occasional variants like Petrișor appear in informal speech.

In the historical record, several Moldavian rulers bore the name Petru, reflecting its prominence in the region’s medieval and early modern elites. Petru Mușat (Petru I Mușat) was a notable Moldavian ruler. Petru Rareș was a Moldavian voivode in the 16th century, and Petru Movilă was another Moldavian prince in the 17th century. The name continues to appear in Romanian political life in the modern era; for example, Petru Groza served as Prime Minister of Romania after World War II.

Beyond individuals, Petru appears in literature and religious contexts as the Romanian form of a globally familiar name. The name’s longevity and cross-cultural equivalents reflect broader Christian and European naming traditions, with Petru remaining a common choice in Romania and Moldova.