"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek via French
Language: French
Pierre
Pronunciation: [ p-ee-EHR ]
Does Pierre flow with your last name?
The rock-solid French classic of kings and thinkers
French
European
Canadian
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"firm, steadfast (metaphorical)"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: French
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The Story of Pierre
Pierre is the French form of Peter, which comes from the Greek 'Petros,' itself a translation of the Aramaic 'Cephas,' meaning rock or stone. This name was given by Jesus to his disciple Simon — 'You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church' — making it one of the foundational names in all of Christian history. The French form Pierre developed in medieval France and became one of the most common men's names in the French-speaking world for centuries.
Pierre has long been one of France and Quebec's quintessential male names. While it declined somewhat in favor of shorter anglicized names in the late 20th century, it has seen renewed interest as French culture and naming traditions enjoy international prestige.
In Quebec, Pierre was for generations the most common male name — Pierre Elliott Trudeau made the name synonymous with intellectual leadership and French-Canadian identity. In France, it connects to centuries of saints, kings, and scientists.
Historical Record
Pierre first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 16,346 babies have been named Pierre in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pierre is past its peak , currently ranked #1,252 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Pierre was the most common male name in Quebec for much of the 20th century
- Pierre Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 alongside his wife Marie
- The name Peter/Pierre has been borne by 3 popes and the founder of Russia (Peter the Great)
Pierre in Other Languages
French
Pierre
German
Peter
English
Peter
Italian
Pietro
Russian
Пётр (Pyotr)
Spanish
Pedro
Portuguese
Pedro
Popularity Over Time
#1,252
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1986
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pierre
P
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Politician
1919
15th Prime Minister of Canada, father of Justin Trudeau, celebrated for the Canadian Charter of Rights
P
Pierre Curie
Scientist
1859
French physicist who shared the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics with Marie Curie for research on radiation
P
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Artist
1841
French Impressionist painter known for celebratory depictions of leisure and beauty
P
Pierre Bezukhov Fictional
Other
Central protagonist of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, an idealistic Russian count searching for life's meaning
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Compare Pierre with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,252
- Total SSA Count
- 158
- Cultural Origins
- French European Canadian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pier
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pierre
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Pierre is also used as a girl name, ranked #23090.
View Pierre as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
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Latin origin
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Niklaus
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Greek origin
"victory of the people"
#1,236 in US
Nick
Boy
Greek Nikolaos origin
"victory of the people"
#1,422 in US
Caius
Boy
Etruscan origin
"earthly, of the earth"
#1,063 in US
Marlon
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Latin origin
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French origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pierre
What does the name Pierre mean?
"rock, stone" (from Greek via French). "firm, steadfast (metaphorical)" (from Aramaic). Pierre is the French form of Peter, which comes from the Greek 'Petros,' itself a translation of the Aramaic 'Cephas,' meaning rock or stone. This name was given by Jesus to his disciple Simon — 'You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church' — making it one of the foundational names in all of Christian history. The French form Pierre developed in medieval France and became one of the most common men's names in the French-speaking world for centuries.
What is the origin of the name Pierre?
Pierre has Greek via French, Aramaic, French, European, and Canadian origins. In Greek via French, it means "rock, stone". In Aramaic, it means "firm, steadfast (metaphorical)".
Is Pierre a boy or girl name?
Pierre is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1252. As a girl name, it is ranked #23090. Pierre is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Pierre?
Pierre is pronounced p-ee-EHR.
How popular is the name Pierre?
Pierre is currently ranked #1252 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Pierre?
Common nicknames for Pierre include Pier.
What are good middle names for Pierre?
Popular middle name pairings include Pierre Henri, Pierre Louis, Pierre Alexis, Pierre Emile, Pierre Jean, Pierre Victor, and Pierre Auguste.
What are good sibling names for Pierre?
Names that pair well with Pierre as siblings include Henri, Margaux, Luce, Julien, Claire, Gilles, and Amelie.
How many syllables does Pierre have?
Pierre has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Pierre a common or rare name?
Pierre is an uncommon name, ranked #1252 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Pierre?
About the Name Pierre
Pierre is a boy name with French, European, and Canadian origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek via French .
Is Pierre a boy or girl name? Pierre is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,252 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #23,090. Pierre is more commonly used as a boy name.
Pierre is currently ranked #1,252 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Pierre has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-ee-EHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Pierre include Pier. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Pierre include Pierce, Pierson, Piero . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis