That difference in meaning doesnt really exist in the Greek spoken at the time of Christ. But in any case, as John 1:43 shows, Jesus named Peter Cephas in Aramaic, which is the exact same word as Rock. In Aramaic its Cephas and cephas; literally translating that to Greek would give you Petra and petra, which is a problem, since Petra is feminine, and cant be used as a mans name. So St. Matthew renders it as the male Petros instead.
Your response - That difference in meaning doesnt really exist in the Greek spoken at the time of Christ. But in any case, as John 1:43 shows, Jesus named Peter Cephas in Aramaic, which is the exact same word as Rock. In Aramaic its Cephas and cephas; literally translating that to Greek would give you Petra and petra, which is a problem, since Petra is feminine, and cant be used as a mans name. So St. Matthew renders it as the male Petros instead.
Perhaps St. Matthew rendered it that way to prevent the exact reading you're trying to argue. The masculine form, Petros, applies clearly to Peter. If the second reference applies to the statement of faith, using the feminine form, Petra, aligns with the feminine gender of faith. Why would Matthew mix genders if both refer to Peter?