Pei Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAY /peɪ/
Origin: Chinese; Japanese
Meaning: Chinese: 'precious'; Japanese: 'to fly'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pei has its roots in Chinese, where it is represented by various characters, each with distinct meanings. One common character for Pei (佩) translates to 'to wear' or 'to adorn,' while another (培) means 'to cultivate' or 'to nurture.' The phonetic representation of Pei in Mandarin is 'pèi,' and it is often used as a given name for girls in Chinese-speaking cultures.
The name's etymology reflects the importance of beauty and cultivation in Chinese culture, emphasizing qualities such as grace and growth. Historically, the name Pei has been associated with various figures in Chinese literature and history.
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), names with auspicious meanings became popular, and Pei was among those that conveyed positive attributes. Additionally, the Pei family was a notable clan during the Tang period, contributing to the cultural and political landscape of the time.
The use of Pei as a name can also be found in classical Chinese poetry and prose, where it often symbolizes elegance and virtue. Culturally, the name Pei resonates with themes of beauty, refinement, and nurturing, which are significant in many East Asian traditions.
Names in Chinese culture are often chosen for their meanings and the hopes parents have for their children. The enduring appeal of Pei can be attributed to its lyrical sound and the positive connotations associated with its meanings.
Diminutive forms or variations may exist, but the name Pei itself stands as a testament to the values of beauty and growth in Chinese heritage.
Famous people named Pei
In this section, you will find notable people named Pei. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Pei who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Pei who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Pei Wei is a chef and restaurateur best known for founding the Pei Wei Asian Diner chain.
Fictional characters named Pei
The following list of fictional characters named Pei is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Pei is a fictional character from the video game series Street Fighter. She is a skilled martial artist known for her agility and combat prowess.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Pei, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Pei. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Pei was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Pei has ranked as high as #1110 nationally, which occurred in 1983, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Pei has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Pei is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Pei was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Pei
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Pei.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1974 | 6 |