Purvis
Purvis is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Provider or purveyor of supplies.
Origin and history
Purvis originates as an Anglo-Norman occupational surname derived from the Old French word 'purveance', meaning provision or supply. Historically used for a provider or quartermaster, it transitioned into a rare given name in the United States. It saw modest usage in the early to mid-20th century but is very uncommon today.
Popularity in the United States
969 babies in the United States have been named Purvis since 1880. It ranks #3712 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- LA (52.7 %)
- MS (31.2 %)
- AL (5.4 %)
- GA (5.4 %)
- TX (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 12 |
| 1910-1920 | 108 |
| 1920-1930 | 184 |
| 1930-1940 | 151 |
| 1940-1950 | 144 |
| 1950-1960 | 111 |
| 1960-1970 | 115 |
| 1970-1980 | 75 |
| 1980-1990 | 43 |
| 1990-2000 | 26 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Purvis
- Purvis Short: Basketball Player
- Purvis Young: Artist
Fun facts
- The name originally designated an officer responsible for procuring provisions and supplies for a household or military unit.
- Purvis enjoyed its highest frequency as a U.S. given name in the early 20th century before declining significantly in popularity.