"rock, stone"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: English
Pierce
Pronunciation: [ p-IHRS ]
Does Pierce flow with your last name?
A sharp one-syllable name meaning 'rock'
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Meaning & Origin
"steadfast, firm"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Pierce
Pierce is an English form of Piers, itself a medieval English and Old French form of Peter. The name derives from the Greek 'Petros', meaning 'rock' or 'stone', which was given by Jesus to his apostle Simon, saying 'upon this rock I will build my church'. Pierce arrived in England after the Norman Conquest and became a distinguished surname that was later adopted as a given name.
Pierce has been used as a first name primarily in English-speaking countries, where it carries a surname-as-forename elegance. It gained visibility through actor Pierce Brosnan, who brought glamour and suaveness to the name during his James Bond era in the 1990s and 2000s.
The name's connection to Saint Peter, the first pope and foundational figure of Christianity, gives it deep religious resonance. As a given name, Pierce has been associated with American presidential history through Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States.
Historical Record
Pierce first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,498 babies have been named Pierce in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Pierce is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #541 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States (1853-1857)
- Pierce Brosnan played James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002
- The name Piers (related form) was common in medieval England and appears in Chaucer's works
Pierce in Other Languages
Greek
Πέτρος
French
Pierre
German
Peter
Italian
Pietro
Russian
Пётр
Spanish
Pedro
Popularity Over Time
#541
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Pierce
P
Pierce Brosnan
Actor
1953
Irish-American actor known for playing James Bond in four films and for The Thomas Crown Affair
F
Franklin Pierce
Politician
1804
14th President of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #541
- Total SSA Count
- 553
- Cultural Origins
- English American Welsh
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Pie
Pier
Piery
Pierie
Piy
Piie
Piekins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Pierce
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Pierce is also used as a girl name, ranked #4756.
View Pierce as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pierce
What does the name Pierce mean?
"rock, stone" (from Greek via Latin). "steadfast, firm" (from Greek). Pierce is an English form of Piers, itself a medieval English and Old French form of Peter. The name derives from the Greek 'Petros', meaning 'rock' or 'stone', which was given by Jesus to his apostle Simon, saying 'upon this rock I will build my church'. Pierce arrived in England after the Norman Conquest and became a distinguished surname that was later adopted as a given name.
What is the origin of the name Pierce?
Pierce has Greek via Latin, Greek, English, American, and Welsh origins. In Greek via Latin, it means "rock, stone". In Greek, it means "steadfast, firm".
Is Pierce a boy or girl name?
Pierce is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #541. As a girl name, it is ranked #4756. Pierce is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Pierce?
Pierce is pronounced p-IHRS.
How popular is the name Pierce?
Pierce is currently ranked #541 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Pierce?
Common nicknames for Pierce include Pie, Pier, Piery, Pierie, Piy, Piie, and Piekins.
What are good middle names for Pierce?
Popular middle name pairings include Pierce James, Pierce William, Pierce Edward, Pierce Henry, Pierce Anthony, and Pierce Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Pierce?
Names that pair well with Pierce as siblings include Nora, Claire, Grant, Vivian, Reid, and Celeste.
How many syllables does Pierce have?
Pierce has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Pierce a common or rare name?
Pierce is moderately common, ranked #541 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Pierce?
About the Name Pierce
Pierce is a boy name with English, American, and Welsh origins . The name means "rock, stone" in Greek via Latin .
Is Pierce a boy or girl name? Pierce is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #541 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,756. Pierce is more commonly used as a boy name.
Pierce is currently ranked #541 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Pierce has 1 syllable and is pronounced p-IHRS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Pierce include Pie, Pier, Piery, Pierie, Piy, Piie, and Piekins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Pierce include Pierre, Pierson, Piero . 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