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NamyLab

Percival

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Pierce the Valley"

Medieval name associated with Arthurian legend, derived through French forms and linked to debated valley-related etymologies.

Themes:arthurianmedievalknightly
NatureNaturalVintageRetroUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Percival

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1768Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Percival did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Percival Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Percival.

10 ideas
Perie
Nickname
Perc
Nickname
perc
Nickname
pe
Nickname
valy
Nickname
pery
Nickname
ival
Nickname
rciy
Nickname
po
Nickname
pie
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Percival

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Percival, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

25 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Percival mean?
Percival means "Pierce the Valley". Medieval name associated with Arthurian legend, derived through French forms and linked to debated valley-related etymol
What is the origin of Percival?
Percival is of French origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Percival?
According to the latest SSA data, Percival is currently ranked #1768 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Percival a boy name?
Percival is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Percival?
Popular nicknames for Percival include Perie, Perc, perc, pe, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Percival?
There are many names similar to Percival in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginFrench, Welsh
Syllables3
Length8 letters
US Rank#1768
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withP

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Percival

Percival has French roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our French baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Percival appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Warrior and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Unique Baby Names and Vintage Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Percival pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Percival beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.