Oliver vs Percival

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Oliver Rank #3
Percival Rank #1,765

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 vs #1765 for Percival.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Oliver ___

  • Oliver James
  • Oliver Thomas
  • Oliver William
  • Oliver Henry
  • Oliver John
  • Oliver Benjamin

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 Oliver

Olivia Charlotte Emma Sophia Amelia

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 Oliver or Percival more popular?

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 compared to Percival at #1765 in the United States.

What do Oliver and Percival mean?

Oliver means "olive tree" (Latin origin). Percival means "pierce the valley" (Old French origin).

Are Oliver and Percival boy or girl names?

Oliver is primarily a boy name. Percival is primarily a boy name.

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