Perseus

Pronunciation: [ p-ERS-ee-uhs ]

Boy Name #1,293 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A legendary Greek hero name for the ages

Greek American British

Bold Literary Strong Classic Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"ravager, one who destroys"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

The Story of Perseus

Perseus is one of the oldest Greek names, derived from the verb pertho meaning to destroy or ravage. In Greek mythology, Perseus was a demigod son of Zeus who slew the Gorgon Medusa and rescued the princess Andromeda. The name carries the weight of one of humanity's oldest hero stories, predating even the Trojan War cycle.

Perseus has risen sharply in the US following the popularity of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson book series (2005-2009), where the protagonist's full name is Perseus Jackson. The series introduced a new generation to Greek mythology and made Perseus feel both ancient and contemporary.

Perseus holds a special place in Greek mythology as one of the earliest and most complete hero myths. His story involves divine parentage, monstrous foes, magical weapons, and the rescue of a princess — establishing the template for hero narratives throughout Western literature.

Fun Facts

The Perseus myth is over 2,700 years old, making it one of the oldest named hero stories in Western literature
The constellation Perseus was named after the hero and contains the famous variable star Algol, identified with Medusa's severed head

Perseus in Other Languages

Greek Περσεύς

Latin Perseus

French Persee

Italian Perseo

Spanish Perseo

Famous People Named Perseus

Perseus Fictional

Other

Greek demigod hero who slew Medusa and rescued Andromeda, son of Zeus and Danae

Percy Jackson Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, a modern demigod son of Poseidon

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #1,293
Total SSA Count: 152
Cultural Origins: Greek American British
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Percy

Pairs Well With

Perseus James Perseus Alexander Perseus Gray Perseus John Perseus Leon Perseus August

Sibling Names

Achilles Theseus Andromeda Athena Orion Cassandra

Also a Girl Name

Perseus is also used as a girl name, ranked #18396.

View Perseus as a girl name →

Similar Names

Percy Cecil Chauncey Quincy Percival Mercy

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Perseus

What does the name Perseus mean?

"ravager, one who destroys" (from Greek). Perseus is one of the oldest Greek names, derived from the verb pertho meaning to destroy or ravage. In Greek mythology, Perseus was a demigod son of Zeus who slew the Gorgon Medusa and rescued the princess Andromeda. The name carries the weight of one of humanity's oldest hero stories, predating even the Trojan War cycle.

What is the origin of the name Perseus?

Perseus has Greek, American, and British origins. In Greek, it means "ravager, one who destroys".

Is Perseus a boy or girl name?

Perseus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1293. As a girl name, it is ranked #18396. Perseus is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Perseus?

Perseus is pronounced p-ERS-ee-uhs.

How popular is the name Perseus?

Perseus is currently ranked #1293 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Perseus?

Common nicknames for Perseus include Percy.

What are good middle names for Perseus?

Popular middle name pairings include Perseus James, Perseus Alexander, Perseus Gray, Perseus John, Perseus Leon, and Perseus August.

What are good sibling names for Perseus?

Names that pair well with Perseus as siblings include Achilles, Theseus, Andromeda, Athena, Orion, and Cassandra.

How many syllables does Perseus have?

Perseus has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Perseus a common or rare name?

Perseus is an uncommon name, ranked #1293 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Perseus

Perseus is a boy name with Greek, American, and British origins . The name means "ravager, one who destroys" in Greek .

Is Perseus a boy or girl name? Perseus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,293 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #18,396. Perseus is more commonly used as a boy name.

Perseus is currently ranked #1,293 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Perseus has 3 syllables and is pronounced p-ERS-ee-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.

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