"ravager, one who destroys"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Perseus
Pronunciation: [ p-ERS-ee-uhs ]
Does Perseus flow with your last name?
A legendary Greek hero name for the ages
Greek
American
British
Bold
Literary
Strong
Classic
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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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.
Historical Record
Perseus first appeared in US Social Security records in 1983.
Over 1,220 babies have been named Perseus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Perseus is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,293 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,293
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Perseus
P
Perseus Fictional
Other
Greek demigod hero who slew Medusa and rescued Andromeda, son of Zeus and Danae
P
Percy Jackson Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, a modern demigod son of Poseidon
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Perseus
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Perseus is also used as a girl name, ranked #18396.
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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.
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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