Per Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: Pear //pɛr//
Origin: Scandinavian; Latin
Meaning: Scandinavian: rock; Latin: stone
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Per has its roots in the Old Norse name "Páll," which is derived from the Latin "Paulus," meaning "small" or "humble." This Latin name was adopted into various languages, including Old Norse, where it evolved into forms like "Páll" and later "Per." The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Scandinavian languages, particularly during the Viking Age, when Norse culture and language had a significant impact on the British Isles. The name is often associated with the Scandinavian heritage and has been used in various forms across different cultures, including "Peter" in English, which also traces back to the same Latin origin.
Historically, the name Per has been borne by several notable figures, particularly in Scandinavian countries. One of the most significant milestones in its history is the association with Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles, who is often regarded as the first pope in Christian tradition.
His name was translated into various languages, including the Old Norse form, which contributed to the name's spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. The name gained further prominence through the translation of the Bible into various vernacular languages, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century, where the name Peter appears frequently, reinforcing its religious significance.
Culturally, the name Per carries connotations of strength and humility, reflecting the qualities associated with its etymological roots. In Scandinavian folklore and literature, names derived from the same root often symbolize resilience and modesty.
The diminutive form "Pär" is also used in some cultures, maintaining the essence of the original name while offering a more affectionate variant. Overall, the name Per has a rich historical and cultural significance, embodying a blend of linguistic evolution and enduring symbolic associations.
Famous people named Per
In this section, you will find notable people named Per. 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 Per who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Per 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.
Per Mertesacker is a retired footballer best known for his time at Arsenal and the German national team.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Per, 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 Per. 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 Per was first seen in the United States in 1923.
Per has ranked as high as #1130 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Per has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Per 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 Per was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Per
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 Per.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1997 | 8 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1971 | 12 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1969 | 11 |
| 1968 | 14 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1966 | 14 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1964 | 14 |
| 1963 | 14 |
| 1962 | 13 |
| 1961 | 10 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1957 | 9 |
| 1954 | 6 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1923 | 6 |