Percy is a name of English origin, derived from the Latin given name Persius or Perseus. The name Persius comes from the Roman family name Percivall, which was derived from the Germanic elements "perh" meaning "to pierce through" and "cwalu" meaning "strife." Therefore, Percy means "piercing through strife" or "one who brings peace."
The name Perseus, on the other hand, is derived from the Greek hero Perseus, son of Zeus and Danaë. According to legend, Perseus was born in a prison of gold chains, but he grew up to be a brave hero who slew the Gorgon Medusa.
Percy has been used as a given name since the Middle Ages, with its popularity ebbing and flowing over time. It was particularly popular among the English nobility during the late medieval period. Some notable historical figures named Percy include:
* Sir Henry Percy (1341-1403), also known as "Hotspur," an English nobleman and soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War.
* Harry Hotspur Percy, a fictional character in William Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 1."
* Admiral Thomas Stapleton Percy (1729-1811), a British naval officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War.
Today, Percy is still used as a given name, with its popularity fluctuating over time. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it has been more common for boys than girls since 1879.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Percy in the United States:
Between 1886 and 2023, there were a total of 614 babies named Percy born in the United States.
The popularity of the name Percy has varied over time. The earliest recorded births with this name occurred in 1886, with six newborns being given the name. This number remained relatively stable for the following decade, fluctuating between five and six births per year from 1895 to 1907.
However, from 1915 onwards, we begin to see a significant increase in the number of babies named Percy. In that year alone, there were 14 births, marking a notable rise compared to previous years.
The name Percy reached its peak popularity between 1918 and 1927, with a high of 20 births recorded in 1925. This decade saw an average of around 16 babies named Percy each year, demonstrating that this period was particularly fond of the name.
After the 1930s, the number of newborns named Percy began to decrease steadily until it reached its lowest point in recent years – five births recorded in both 2016 and 2021. However, there has been a resurgence in popularity since then, with 12 babies named Percy born in 2023.
These statistics show that while the name Percy may have experienced periods of waning popularity, it has maintained a consistent presence throughout history. Its recent uptick indicates that it remains a relevant choice for parents today.