"little rock, little stone"
Origin: Old French diminutive of Pierre
Language: French
Perrin
Pronunciation: [ p-EHR-ihn ]
Does Perrin flow with your last name?
A medieval French gem meaning little rock
French
English
Medieval
Vintage
Literary
Sophisticated
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"rock (via Peter)"
Origin: Latin Petrus
Language: English
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The Story of Perrin
Perrin is a medieval French diminutive of Pierre (Peter), from the Latin 'Petrus' and Greek 'Petros' meaning rock or stone. In medieval France, Perrin was a common peasant name — the French equivalent of the English 'Tom' or 'Jack' as a generic everyman name. It appeared frequently in medieval fabliaux (comic tales) as the name of a young countryman.
Perrin has been rediscovered by parents drawn to medieval and literary names with a distinguished sound. Its similarity to Perry while feeling more uncommon and refined has made it attractive to parents seeking names that feel vintage but fresh.
In medieval French culture, Perrin was the archetypal name for a young shepherd or peasant — much like how 'Colin' or 'Robin' functioned in English. This gives the name both humble and romantic rural associations.
Historical Record
Perrin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,442 babies have been named Perrin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Perrin is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,772 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In medieval French farces and fabliaux, 'Perrin' was the stock name for a young shepherd — the French equivalent of the English 'Tom'
- The name appears in Rober de Boron's Arthurian texts as a minor knight's name
Perrin in Other Languages
Latin
Petrus
French
Perrin
Italian
Perrino
Spanish
Perrín
Popularity Over Time
#3,772
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Perrin
P
Perrin Briar
Writer
1985
American fantasy author known for fairy tale retellings
P
Perrin Aybara Fictional
Other
Major character in Robert Jordan's 'The Wheel of Time' fantasy series, a blacksmith with the ability to communicate with...
Major character in Robert Jordan's 'The Wheel of Time' fantasy series, a blacksmith with the ability to communicate with wolves
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Compare Perrin with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,772
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- French English Medieval
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Perry
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Perrin
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Perrin is also used as a girl name, ranked #23010.
View Perrin as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Perrin
What does the name Perrin mean?
"little rock, little stone" (from Old French diminutive of Pierre). "rock (via Peter)" (from Latin Petrus). Perrin is a medieval French diminutive of Pierre (Peter), from the Latin 'Petrus' and Greek 'Petros' meaning rock or stone. In medieval France, Perrin was a common peasant name — the French equivalent of the English 'Tom' or 'Jack' as a generic everyman name. It appeared frequently in medieval fabliaux (comic tales) as the name of a young countryman.
What is the origin of the name Perrin?
Perrin has Old French diminutive of Pierre, Latin Petrus, French, English, and Medieval origins. In Old French diminutive of Pierre, it means "little rock, little stone". In Latin Petrus, it means "rock (via Peter)".
Is Perrin a boy or girl name?
Perrin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3772. As a girl name, it is ranked #23010. Perrin is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Perrin?
Perrin is pronounced p-EHR-ihn.
How popular is the name Perrin?
Perrin is currently ranked #3772 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Perrin?
Common nicknames for Perrin include Perry.
What are good middle names for Perrin?
Popular middle name pairings include Perrin James, Perrin Cole, Perrin Fox, Perrin Sage, Perrin Grey, Perrin Reed, and Perrin Vale.
What are good sibling names for Perrin?
Names that pair well with Perrin as siblings include Wren, Marlowe, Quincy, Seren, Rowan, and Halcyon.
How many syllables does Perrin have?
Perrin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Perrin a common or rare name?
Perrin is an uncommon name, ranked #3772 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Perrin?
Are there other spellings for Perrin?
Related spellings include Perry.
About the Name Perrin
Perrin is a boy name with French, English, and Medieval origins . The name means "little rock, little stone" in Old French diminutive of Pierre .
Is Perrin a boy or girl name? Perrin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,772 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #23,010. Perrin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Perrin is currently ranked #3,772 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Perrin has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-EHR-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Perrin include Perry. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Perrin include Perry . 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