girls' name · peaked 1918

Persis

Borrowed from Latin Persis, from Ancient Greek Περσίς (Persís), from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 (p-a-r-s /⁠Pārsa⁠/) + -ῐς (-ĭs, feminine suffix).

Every Persis since 1884 — 572 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.030.040.0518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1884Girls
Rank 2025
#16,680
among girls
Babies in 2025
5
named Persis
Peak year
1918
19 babies
All-time total
572
since 1884

The story of Persis

Persis is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #16,680 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1884, 572 American babies have been named Persis. Its peak came in 1918, when 19 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

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 Persis stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Persis year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 5 #16,680
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019 6 #15,154
2018 7 #13,475
2017
2016 7 #14,011
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010 6 #16,468
2009
2008
2007
2006 5 #19,332
2005
2004
2003 6 #15,284
2002
2001
2000
1995 5 #15,120
1990
1985
1980 8 #7,923
1975
1970
1965
1960 6 #6,217
1955
1950
1945
1940 6 #4,241
1935
1930 9 #3,272
1925 14 #2,590
1920 13 #2,699
1915 16 #2,030
1910 5 #2,710
1905 8 #1,510
1900 7 #1,696
1895 8 #1,278
1890 7 #1,178
1885 6 #1,025
1880

Famous people named Persis

  1. Persis Khambatta Actor · 1948–1998

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Persis mean?

Borrowed from Latin Persis, from Ancient Greek Περσίς (Persís), from Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎼𐎿 (p-a-r-s /⁠Pārsa⁠/) + -ῐς (-ĭs, feminine suffix).

How popular is the name Persis in 2025?

Persis ranked #16,680 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Persis?

572 babies have been named Persis in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Persis most popular?

Persis peaked in 1918, when 19 newborns received the name.

Is Persis a boy or girl name?

Persis is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Persis rising or falling?

Persis is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Persis?

Well-known people named Persis include Persis Khambatta (actor).

Names like Persis

Compare Persis with similar names →