Percy
Proper noun senses 1 (surname) and 3 (place names) are derived from Norman Percy (“a baronial surname”), from Percy-en-Auge (“a place in Pays d’Auge, Normandy, France”…
Every Percy since 1880 — 32,840 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Percy
Percy is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,279 in 2025 with 154 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 32,840 American babies have been named Percy. Its peak came in 1921, when 618 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Percy stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Percy year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #9,941 | 154 | #1,279 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,830 | 157 | #1,260 |
| 2023 | 12 | #8,856 | 112 | #1,564 |
| 2022 | — | — | 112 | #1,586 |
| 2021 | 5 | #17,082 | 87 | #1,813 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,137 | 69 | #2,061 |
| 2019 | 9 | #11,166 | 45 | #2,794 |
| 2018 | — | — | 63 | #2,205 |
| 2017 | — | — | 73 | #1,969 |
| 2016 | 5 | #18,220 | 47 | #2,652 |
| 2015 | — | — | 58 | #2,291 |
| 2014 | 6 | #16,066 | 70 | #2,037 |
| 2013 | — | — | 61 | #2,175 |
| 2012 | — | — | 60 | #2,201 |
| 2011 | — | — | 39 | #2,983 |
| 2010 | — | — | 41 | #2,906 |
| 2009 | — | — | 38 | #3,092 |
| 2008 | — | — | 37 | #3,151 |
| 2007 | — | — | 57 | #2,296 |
| 2006 | — | — | 51 | #2,438 |
| 2005 | — | — | 45 | #2,520 |
| 2004 | — | — | 60 | #2,017 |
| 2003 | — | — | 47 | #2,301 |
| 2002 | — | — | 46 | #2,284 |
| 2001 | — | — | 59 | #1,887 |
| 2000 | — | — | 52 | #1,990 |
| 1995 | — | — | 65 | #1,487 |
| 1990 | — | — | 102 | #1,051 |
| 1985 | — | — | 96 | #932 |
| 1980 | — | — | 124 | #788 |
| 1975 | — | — | 143 | #697 |
| 1970 | — | — | 175 | #614 |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,254 | 193 | #552 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,686 | 270 | #482 |
| 1955 | — | — | 309 | #418 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,639 | 411 | #333 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,933 | 343 | #322 |
| 1940 | 8 | #3,439 | 328 | #311 |
| 1935 | 9 | #3,110 | 385 | #277 |
| 1930 | 12 | #2,660 | 429 | #274 |
| 1925 | 20 | #1,998 | 544 | #241 |
| 1920 | 13 | #2,698 | 601 | #216 |
| 1915 | 14 | #2,229 | 488 | #214 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,898 | 195 | #160 |
| 1905 | — | — | 169 | #129 |
| 1900 | 5 | #2,165 | 201 | #114 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,766 | 164 | #109 |
| 1890 | — | — | 140 | #113 |
| 1885 | — | — | 98 | #137 |
| 1880 | — | — | 94 | #144 |
Famous people named Percy
- Percy Bysshe Shelley Writer · 1792–1822
- Percy Fawcett Writer · 1867–1925
- Percy Williams Bridgman Physicist · 1882–1961
- Percy Spencer Inventor · 1894–1970
- Percy Sledge Singer · 1941–2015
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Percy mean?
Proper noun senses 1 (surname) and 3 (place names) are derived from Norman Percy (“a baronial surname”), from Percy-en-Auge (“a place in Pays d’Auge, Normandy, France”, literally “Percy in Auge”), from Old French Perci, from Late…
How popular is the name Percy in 2025?
Percy ranked #1,279 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 154 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Percy?
32,840 babies have been named Percy in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Percy most popular?
Percy peaked in 1921, when 618 newborns received the name.
Is Percy a boy or girl name?
Percy is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Percy rising or falling?
Percy is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Percy?
Well-known people named Percy include Percy Bysshe Shelley (writer), Percy Fawcett (writer), Percy Williams Bridgman (physicist).