"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: English
Pearce
Pronunciation: [ p-IHRS ]
Does Pearce flow with your last name?
A distinguished Welsh surname with rock-solid heritage
Welsh
English
Irish
Australian
Classic
Strong
Sophisticated
Vintage
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Pearce
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"son of Piers"
Origin: Welsh/English
Language: English
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The Story of Pearce
Pearce is a Welsh and English surname derived from Piers, itself a medieval form of Peter, which comes from the Greek Petros meaning rock or stone. Piers was introduced to England by the Normans as a variant of Pierre (the French form of Peter), and Pearce developed as a patronymic surname meaning son of Piers or son of Peter. It shares its ultimate root with Peter, Pierre, Pedro, and Pietro.
Pearce as a first name has been quietly fashionable in Australia, Britain, and Ireland, where it functions as a distinguished surname-turned-given-name. It appeals to parents who want the familiar sound of Pierce without the sharper consonant, offering a softer, more distinguished alternative.
The Pearce family name is particularly common in Wales and the West of England, reflecting the strong Celtic and Norman heritage of the region. As a given name, Pearce connects to Saint Peter (the rock of the church), giving it quiet Christian heritage without being overtly religious.
Historical Record
Pearce first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,130 babies have been named Pearce in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pearce is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,191 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Peter, the root of Pearce, is the most common name in the history of Western Europe
- Guy Pearce (actor) is one of the most famous bearers of this surname-as-name
Pearce in Other Languages
Welsh
Piers
French
Pierre
German
Pieter
Italian
Pietro
Spanish
Pedro
Popularity Over Time
#5,191
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pearce
G
Guy Pearce
Actor
1967
Australian actor known for LA Confidential, Memento, and The Kings Speech
P
Pierce Brosnan
Actor
1953
Irish actor best known for playing James Bond in four films; Pierce shares the same etymology as Pearce
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,191
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English Irish Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pearl
P
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pearce
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Pearce is also used as a girl name, ranked #13050.
View Pearce as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pearce
What does the name Pearce mean?
"rock, stone" (from Greek via Latin). "son of Piers" (from Welsh/English). Pearce is a Welsh and English surname derived from Piers, itself a medieval form of Peter, which comes from the Greek Petros meaning rock or stone. Piers was introduced to England by the Normans as a variant of Pierre (the French form of Peter), and Pearce developed as a patronymic surname meaning son of Piers or son of Peter. It shares its ultimate root with Peter, Pierre, Pedro, and Pietro.
What is the origin of the name Pearce?
Pearce has Greek via Latin, Welsh/English, Welsh, English, Irish, and Australian origins. In Greek via Latin, it means "rock, stone". In Welsh/English, it means "son of Piers".
Is Pearce a boy or girl name?
Pearce is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5191. As a girl name, it is ranked #13050. Pearce is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Pearce?
Pearce is pronounced p-IHRS.
How popular is the name Pearce?
Pearce is currently ranked #5191 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Pearce?
Common nicknames for Pearce include Pearl.
What are good middle names for Pearce?
Popular middle name pairings include Pearce James, Pearce William, Pearce Henry, Pearce Edward, Pearce Thomas, and Pearce Oliver.
What are good sibling names for Pearce?
Names that pair well with Pearce as siblings include Griffith, Rowan, Isla, Madeleine, Bowen, and Rhys.
How many syllables does Pearce have?
Pearce has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Pearce a common or rare name?
Pearce is an uncommon name, ranked #5191 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Pearce?
Are there other spellings for Pearce?
Related spellings include Pearson.
About the Name Pearce
Pearce is a boy name with Welsh, English, Irish, and Australian origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek via Latin .
Is Pearce a boy or girl name? Pearce is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,191 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,050. Pearce is more commonly used as a boy name.
Pearce is currently ranked #5,191 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Pearce has 1 syllable and is pronounced p-IHRS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Pearce include Pearl and P. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Pearce include Pearson . 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