Pierce

Pronunciation: [ p-IHRS ]

Boy Name #541 Most Popular Steady 1 Syllable

A sharp one-syllable name meaning 'rock'

English American Welsh

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Meaning & Origin

"rock, stone"

Origin: Greek via Latin

Language: English

"steadfast, firm"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

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.

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

Famous People Named Pierce

Pierce Brosnan

Actor

1953

Irish-American actor known for playing James Bond in four films and for The Thomas Crown Affair

Franklin Pierce

Politician

1804

14th President of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857

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

Pierre #1252 Pierson #1460 Piero #4247

Nicknames

Pie Piy Pierie Piery

Pairs Well With

Pierce James Pierce William Pierce Edward Pierce Henry Pierce Anthony Pierce Thomas

Sibling Names

Nora Claire Grant Vivian Reid Celeste

Also a Girl Name

Pierce is also used as a girl name, ranked #4756.

View Pierce as a girl name →

Similar Names

Peter Percy Price Reese Brice Pearson Bryce Pierson

Playground Safety

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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, Piy, Pierie, and Piery.

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.

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, Piy, Pierie, and Piery. 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.