Given name & surname
Perry
“one who travels; a wanderer”·“as solid and strong as a rock”
In English use, Perry is a diminutive of Peregrine. One Latin interpretation is “one who travels; a wanderer.” In French use, Perry is a diminutive of Pierre. In French use, Pierre carries the interpretation “as solid and strong as a rock.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Latin use, Perry carries the interpretation “one who travels; a wanderer.” In English use, Perry is a diminutive of Peregrine. One Latin interpretation is “one who travels; a wanderer.” In French use, Perry is a diminutive of Pierre. In French use, Pierre carries the interpretation “as solid and strong as a rock.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Latin.
How it developed
Perry is used as a form of Peregrine.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Perry through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 79,735
- 76,044 boys · 3,691 girls
- Most popular year
- 1959
- 2,786 babies
- 2025
- 218
- #1,373 for boys · #2,233 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +9%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 59% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 135 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,373 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 4.5% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 2,751 in 1959. It also appeared in 83 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Michigan and Virginia shared the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (8 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 46,765 as a first name in 2020; 211,657 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Perry’s family of names
In French usage, Perry is a diminutive of Pierre. Perry has a related form in Perri. Perry has a related form in Peri.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Perry has relatives in 4 languages. Lines run from its Latin roots to each of them.
4 related names in 4 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 8
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Perry
- Perry KingAmerican actor (born 1948)
- Perry ChristieBahamian politicianborn 1943
- Perry AndersonBritish historian (born 1938)
- Perry BamonteBritish musician (1960–2025)
- Perry McCarthyEnglish racing driverborn 1961
- Perry KitchenAmerican soccer playerborn 1992
- Perry FarrellAmerican singer, songwriter and musicianborn 1959
- Perry SaturnAmerican professional wrestlerborn 1966
- Perry McGillivrayAmerican swimmer, water polo player and coach (1893–1944)
Characters named Perry: Perry Mason (fictional attorney), Perry White (fictional character who appears in the Superman comics).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Perry, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Parrish
“woman of the church” · “man of the church”
71% boys · 29% girls
Aquila
“resembling an eagle; a constellation”
50% boys · 50% girls
Kerry
“having black hair”
71% boys · 29% girls
Merritt
“from the boundary's gate” · “one who deserves good fortune”
34% boys · 66% girls
Jackie
“God is gracious” · “the supplanter”
44% boys · 56% girls
Robbie
“one who is bright with fame”
66% boys · 34% girls
Arden
“one who is passionate and enthusiastic” · “from the valley of the eagles”
40% boys · 60% girls
Roni
“displaying her true image” · “song of Joy”
39% boys · 61% girls