UK boy's name
Pepe
A Spanish diminutive form of the name Joseph, meaning "he who adds".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Pepe is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Pepe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3416, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 5 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2000 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Pepe is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Pepe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Pepe ranked #3416 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 5 boys were registered as Pepe.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Pepe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3416
2012
Births in 2012
5
Latest year
Peak year
2012
5 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Pepe mean?
Pepe is a diminutive form of the Spanish name José, which is derived from the Hebrew name Joseph. The name Joseph ultimately comes from the Hebrew word yasaf, meaning "he will add." The name's origins can be traced back to the biblical figure Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel.
In the Hebrew Bible, Joseph is a prominent figure known for his ability to interpret dreams and his rise to power in ancient Egypt. He plays a crucial role in the story of the Israelites' descent into Egypt and their eventual exodus. The name Joseph gained widespread popularity among Christians and Jews alike.
The name Pepe emerged as a common Spanish diminutive form of José, with the addition of the affectionate suffix "-pe." This form was widely used in Spain and spread to Spanish-speaking regions through exploration and colonization.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pepe can be found in the 16th century Spanish novel "La vida del pícaro Guzmán de Alfarache" by Mateo Alemán, published in 1599. In the novel, a character named Pepe is mentioned.
Historically, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Pepe. One of the most famous was José Pepe Mujica, a former President of Uruguay born in 1935. Mujica, known for his humble lifestyle and progressive policies, served as President from 2010 to 2015.
Another prominent figure was José "Pepe" Calderón, a Mexican painter and muralist born in 1908. Calderón was known for his vibrant and politically charged murals depicting Mexican history and culture.
In the realm of sports, José "Pepe" Reina, a Spanish professional footballer born in 1982, has made a name for himself as a goalkeeper for various clubs and the Spanish national team.
José "Pepe" Hierro, a Spanish former professional footballer and coach, born in 1958, also had a successful career playing for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Lastly, José "Pepe" Moraleda, a Spanish actor and comedian born in 1951, has left a lasting mark in the entertainment industry with his comedic performances and impersonations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Pepe over time
The chart below shows babies named Pepe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Pepe, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2012, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Pepe by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Pepe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4032 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3417 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Pepe
- Patrick 17,559
- Peter 13,150
- Paul 8,542
- Philip 4,997
- Parker 4,664
- Phoenix 3,865
- Preston 3,370
- Prince 1,782
- Patryk 1,763
- Phillip 1,697
- Percy 1,395
- Perry 1,015
FAQ
Pepe: questions and answers
How popular is the name Pepe in the UK right now?
In 2012, Pepe was ranked #3416 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Pepe most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 5 babies registered as Pepe in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Pepe?
A Spanish diminutive form of the name Joseph, meaning "he who adds".
How many people are called Pepe in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Pepe across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.