"pierce the valley"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Percival
Pronunciation: [ p-ERS-ihv-uhl ]
Does Percival flow with your last name?
The pure-hearted Grail knight of Arthurian legend
English
French
Medieval European
Literary
Royal
Vintage
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Percival
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Percival
2 shorthand options for every setting
Fantasy Names
Percival as a Fantasy Character
Human lore, pronunciation, D&D class tips
Meaning & Origin
"hard spear (from Welsh Peredur)"
Origin: Welsh
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Percival
See all →What the Percival report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Percival the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Percival
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Percival head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Percival actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Percival
Percival was created by the French poet Chretien de Troyes around 1180 for his Arthurian romance 'Perceval, the Story of the Grail.' The name likely derives from Old French perce val, meaning 'pierce the valley,' though it may also have Welsh origins in Peredur. Percival became the archetypal pure-hearted knight on a quest for the Holy Grail — a figure of spiritual innocence and chivalric virtue. Wagner immortalized him as Parsifal in his 1882 opera.
Percival enjoyed Victorian popularity as Arthurian legend experienced a romantic revival. It declined through the 20th century but is seeing renewed interest as parents rediscover elaborate historical names. Percy remains its popular nickname form.
In Arthurian legend, Percival (or Parsifal) represents the innocent fool who achieves what the more sophisticated knights cannot — finding the Holy Grail through purity of heart rather than worldly power. This makes the name a symbol of spiritual potential.
Historical Record
Percival first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 865 babies have been named Percival in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Percival is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,765 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Percival is one of two knights in Arthurian legend (along with Galahad) who achieves the Holy Grail quest
- Wagner's opera Parsifal (1882), based on Percival, premiered at Bayreuth and is considered one of the greatest works in operatic history
Percival in Other Languages
Welsh
Peredur
French
Perceval
German
Parsifal
Italian
Percivale
Spanish
Percival
Popularity Over Time
#1,765
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Percival
P
Percival Lowell
Scientist
1855
American astronomer who predicted the existence of Pluto and built the Lowell Observatory
P
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Writer
1792
Major English Romantic poet, husband of Mary Shelley, known for Prometheus Unbound and Ode to the West Wind
P
Percival (Arthurian legend) Fictional
Other
Knight of the Round Table and achiever of the Holy Grail quest in Arthurian romance
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,765
- Total SSA Count
- 93
- Cultural Origins
- English French Medieval European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Percy
Val
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Percival
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Percival fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Percival →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Percival with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Percival
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Percival and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Percival sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Arnold
Boy
Germanic origin
"eagle power, eagle ruler"
#1,694 in US
Roen
Boy
Old Norse/Gaelic origin
"red-haired, little redhead"
#1,730 in US
Hazen
Boy
Old English origin
"from the hazel tree settlement"
#1,728 in US
Kent
Boy
Celtic origin
"coastal land, border land"
#1,636 in US
Marlo
Boy
Old English origin
"remnants of the lake"
#1,696 in US
Denis
Boy
Greek Dionysios origin
"follower of Dionysus, god of wine"
#1,643 in US
Richie
Boy
Old High German Ricohard (ric + hard) origin
"brave ruler, strong king"
#1,791 in US
Ignatius
Boy
Latin ignis origin
"fiery, ardent"
#1,736 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Percival's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Percival
What does the name Percival mean?
"pierce the valley" (from Old French). "hard spear (from Welsh Peredur)" (from Welsh). Percival was created by the French poet Chretien de Troyes around 1180 for his Arthurian romance 'Perceval, the Story of the Grail.' The name likely derives from Old French perce val, meaning 'pierce the valley,' though it may also have Welsh origins in Peredur. Percival became the archetypal pure-hearted knight on a quest for the Holy Grail — a figure of spiritual innocence and chivalric virtue. Wagner immortalized him as Parsifal in his 1882 opera.
What is the origin of the name Percival?
Percival has Old French, Welsh, English, French, and Medieval European origins. In Old French, it means "pierce the valley". In Welsh, it means "hard spear (from Welsh Peredur)".
Is Percival a boy or girl name?
Percival is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Percival?
Percival is pronounced p-ERS-ihv-uhl.
How popular is the name Percival?
Percival is currently ranked #1765 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Percival?
Common nicknames for Percival include Percy and Val.
What are good middle names for Percival?
Popular middle name pairings include Percival James, Percival Arthur, Percival Edward, Percival William, Percival Hugo, Percival Felix, and Percival Rupert.
What are good sibling names for Percival?
Names that pair well with Percival as siblings include Gawain, Lancelot, Isolde, Guinevere, Arthur, Rowan, and Edmund.
How many syllables does Percival have?
Percival has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Percival a common or rare name?
Percival is an uncommon name, ranked #1765 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Percival?
Are there other spellings for Percival?
Related spellings include Percy.
About the Name Percival
Percival is a boy name with English, French, and Medieval European origins . The name means "pierce the valley" in Old French .
Percival is currently ranked #1,765 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Percival has 3 syllables and is pronounced p-ERS-ihv-uhl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Percival include Percy and Val. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Percival include Percy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old French Names
Browse all names with this origin
P
Names Starting with P
More boy names like Percival
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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