Percy
Percy is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
From the village of Perci; traditionally interpreted as 'pierce the valley'.
Origin and history
Percy originated as a French surname derived from place names in Normandy such as Perci. It was brought to England following the Norman Conquest and later adopted as a given name. In the United States, it is a classic vintage name with steady, enduring usage.
Popularity in the United States
32,204 babies in the United States have been named Percy since 1880. It ranks #652 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1275.
States where it is most popular
- MS (17.3 %)
- LA (14.2 %)
- AL (8.6 %)
- NC (8 %)
- VA (6.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,166 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,571 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,517 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,210 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,439 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,860 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,697 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,537 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,157 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,538 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,036 |
| 1990-2000 | 736 |
| 2000-2010 | 492 |
| 2010-2019 | 557 |
| 2020-2029 | 691 |
Famous people named Percy
- Percy Bysshe Shelley: Poet
- Percy Sledge: Singer, Musician
Nicknames
Perce
Fun facts
- The name came to England with William the Conqueror and became the family name of the powerful Dukes of Northumberland.
- The name is strongly associated with English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley as well as modern pop culture figures.