Peri is a unique and intriguing name with roots that trace back to various origins and cultures. Its meaning and history are equally fascinating.
In Turkish culture, Peri is a term used for fairies or supernatural beings. It comes from the Persian word "pari," which also means fairy. In this context, Peri is often associated with beauty, mystery, and magic. In some Turkish tales, Peri are believed to inhabit mountains and forests, living in harmony with nature.
In Hebrew culture, Peri is a feminine name that translates to "fruitful" or "prosperous." This derivation comes from the Hebrew word "perî," meaning "to burst forth" or "to bring forth fruit." It represents abundance, growth, and fertility. This connection gives Peri a strong symbolic significance in Jewish traditions.
Historically, Peri has been used as a given name for both boys and girls, although it is more commonly found among women. Its usage can be traced back to the 19th century, but it gained popularity during the late 20th century, particularly in countries with significant Turkish and Hebrew populations.
In literature, Peri is also notable for being the title character of Lord Byron's epic narrative poem "The Giaour," published in 1813. In this work, Peri is a beautiful and vengeful woman who seeks retribution against her lover who betrayed her.
Overall, Peri is a name rich with cultural significance and historical context. Whether derived from Turkish fairy lore or Hebrew symbolism, it carries a unique charm that sets it apart from more common names. Its meaning and origins offer insights into the diverse cultures that have adopted and embraced this distinctive moniker.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Peri in the United States from 1936 to 2023. Over this period of nearly nine decades, there has been a noticeable variation in the popularity of the name Peri.
The earliest data point available is from 1936, with only 5 babies named Peri being born that year. The number of annual births with this name remained relatively low until the late 1940s and early 1950s when it began to increase steadily. In fact, the decade between 1950 and 1959 was a period of significant growth for the popularity of Peri as a baby name, with the number of annual births ranging from 15 in 1952 to 92 in 1960.
The highest point in the graph occurs in 1958 with 47 births, and then there is another peak in 1959 with 78 births. This suggests that Peri may have been quite fashionable as a baby name during this time. However, after these peaks, we see a decline in popularity.
Throughout most of the 1960s, the number of annual births with the name Peri fluctuated between about 20 and 50, reaching a low point in 1963 with only 41 births. After this dip, there was another increase to 45 births in 1966.
From the late 1960s onwards, the popularity of the name Peri began to decrease significantly. In fact, for several years during the 1970s and early 1980s, fewer than ten babies were named Peri each year. The lowest point was reached in 1973 with only 6 births.
Despite this decline in popularity over several decades, there has been a renewed interest in the name Peri in recent years. Since 2000, the number of annual births with this name has generally been higher than it was during much of the previous century. For example, in 2021, there were 41 births, and in 2022 and 2023, there were 32 births each year.
In total, over these nearly nine decades, there have been a combined 2418 babies named Peri born in the United States. These statistics highlight the changing trends in baby naming and demonstrate how the popularity of certain names can fluctuate dramatically over time.