Arnold vs Percival

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Arnold

Boy #1,694 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"eagle power, eagle ruler"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

German English American Flemish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,694
Total SSA Count
99
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Arnie, Arno

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Percival

Boy #1,765 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"pierce the valley"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

English French Medieval European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,765
Total SSA Count
93
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Percy, Val

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Percival →

Popularity Comparison

Arnold Rank #1,694
Percival Rank #1,765

Arnold is more popular, ranked #1694 vs #1765 for Percival.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Arnold ___

  • Arnold James
  • Arnold Lee
  • Arnold Scott
  • Arnold Paul
  • Arnold Henry

Percival ___

  • Percival James
  • Percival Arthur
  • Percival Edward
  • Percival William
  • Percival Hugo
  • Percival Felix

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Arnold

Gerald Harold Donna Linda Ronald

If you choose Percival

Gawain Lancelot Isolde Guinevere Arthur

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arnold or Percival more popular?

Arnold is more popular, ranked #1694 compared to Percival at #1765 in the United States.

What do Arnold and Percival mean?

Arnold means "eagle power, eagle ruler" (Germanic origin). Percival means "pierce the valley" (Old French origin).

Are Arnold and Percival boy or girl names?

Arnold is primarily a boy name. Percival is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Arnold ← Full profile: Percival Browse all baby names