Percy

Pronunciation: [ p-ERS-ee ]

Boy Name #1,256 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

From English nobility to demigod hero of a generation

English American French

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Meaning & Origin

"from Percy (Norman place name)"

Origin: Norman French

Language: English

"pierces the valley"

Origin: Gaulish/Norman

Language: English

The Story of Percy

Percy derives from the Norman place name Perci in Normandy (now Percy-en-Auge), which the de Percy family brought to England after the Conquest of 1066. The place name probably comes from Gaulish personal name Persius combined with the Latin estate suffix. The de Percy family became one of England's most powerful noble dynasties, giving the name aristocratic English pedigree. Percy was also used as a diminutive of Percival, the Arthurian knight.

Percy experienced a Victorian revival, fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century, and has roared back in the 2010s driven entirely by Percy Jackson — Rick Riordan's immensely popular YA hero — who has made the name synonymous with adventure, loyalty, and heroism for a generation of children.

Percy is quintessentially English — Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley gave it literary credibility, while the Earl of Northumberland gave it aristocratic weight. But Percy Jackson has transcended these British origins to make it a beloved American hero name.

Fun Facts

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) wrote Frankenstein with his wife Mary Shelley while both were teenagers
Percy Jackson and the Olympians has sold over 180 million copies worldwide
The Percy family (Earls of Northumberland) were one of medieval England's most powerful noble dynasties

Percy in Other Languages

French Percy

German Percy

English Percy

Spanish Percy

Famous People Named Percy

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Writer

1792

English Romantic poet who wrote Ozymandias, Ode to the West Wind, and Prometheus Unbound

Percy Jackson (Thomas Percy)

Royalty

1364

First Earl of Northumberland, powerful English nobleman and ally of Henry IV

Percy Jackson Fictional

Other

Fictional half-blood hero and son of Poseidon in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Percy the Small Engine Fictional

Other

Beloved green engine character from Thomas & Friends, known for his cheerful helpfulness

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,256
Total SSA Count: 157
Cultural Origins: English American French
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Percival #1765

Common Nicknames

Perce

Pairs Well With

Percy James Percy Arthur Percy Edmund Percy Oliver Percy George Percy Fox Percy Finn

Sibling Names

Atticus Hugo Harriet Clem Gus Beatrice Jasper

Also a Girl Name

Percy is also used as a girl name, ranked #8978.

View Percy as a girl name →

Similar Names

Chauncey Pierce Price Quincy Percival Reese Mercy Pearson

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Percy

What does the name Percy mean?

"from Percy (Norman place name)" (from Norman French). "pierces the valley" (from Gaulish/Norman). Percy derives from the Norman place name Perci in Normandy (now Percy-en-Auge), which the de Percy family brought to England after the Conquest of 1066. The place name probably comes from Gaulish personal name Persius combined with the Latin estate suffix. The de Percy family became one of England's most powerful noble dynasties, giving the name aristocratic English pedigree. Percy was also used as a diminutive of Percival, the Arthurian knight.

What is the origin of the name Percy?

Percy has Norman French, Gaulish/Norman, English, American, and French origins. In Norman French, it means "from Percy (Norman place name)". In Gaulish/Norman, it means "pierces the valley".

Is Percy a boy or girl name?

Percy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1256. As a girl name, it is ranked #8978. Percy is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Percy?

Percy is pronounced p-ERS-ee.

How popular is the name Percy?

Percy is currently ranked #1256 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Percy?

Common nicknames for Percy include Perce.

What are good middle names for Percy?

Popular middle name pairings include Percy James, Percy Arthur, Percy Edmund, Percy Oliver, Percy George, Percy Fox, and Percy Finn.

What are good sibling names for Percy?

Names that pair well with Percy as siblings include Atticus, Hugo, Harriet, Clem, Gus, Beatrice, and Jasper.

How many syllables does Percy have?

Percy has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Percy a common or rare name?

Percy is an uncommon name, ranked #1256 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Percy

Percy is a boy name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "from Percy (Norman place name)" in Norman French .

Is Percy a boy or girl name? Percy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,256 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #8,978. Percy is more commonly used as a boy name.

Percy is currently ranked #1,256 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Percy has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-ERS-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Percy include Perce. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Percy include Percival . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.