Perez Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEH-rez //ˈpɛrɛz//
Origin: Hebrew; Spanish
Meaning: Hebrew: 'son of the rock'; Spanish: 'son of Perez'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Perez has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "peretz," which means "to break through" or "to burst forth." This etymology reflects a sense of overcoming obstacles or achieving victory. The name appears in the biblical context, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where Perez is mentioned as the son of Judah and Tamar, making him a significant figure in the genealogical line leading to King David and, by extension, to the Christian tradition's lineage of Jesus Christ.
The Hebrew form of the name was later transliterated into Greek as "Pharez" and subsequently into Latin, which influenced its adoption into various European languages, including Old French and ultimately English. Historically, the name Perez has been borne by notable figures throughout the centuries.
In the biblical narrative, Perez's birth is marked by a dramatic event where he is born as a twin, with his brother Zerah extending his hand first, which was tied with a scarlet thread. This story, found in Genesis 38, has been interpreted as a symbol of struggle and triumph, further enhancing the name's significance within Jewish tradition.
The name also appears in various historical texts and genealogies, emphasizing its enduring presence in religious and cultural contexts. Culturally, Perez carries connotations of resilience and breakthrough, resonating with themes of perseverance in both Jewish and Christian traditions.
The name has been associated with various saints and figures in religious history, contributing to its symbolic weight. In some contexts, diminutive forms such as "Perry" have emerged, although these are less historically significant than the original form.
Overall, the name Perez encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical importance, and cultural resonance, making it a name with deep roots in both religious and secular narratives.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Perez, 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 Perez. 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 Perez was first seen in the United States in 1954.
Perez has ranked as high as #1204 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Perez has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Perez 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 Perez was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Perez (1991)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| AL | 5 |
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 Perez.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1993 | 13 |
| 1992 | 12 |
| 1991 | 23 |
| 1990 | 16 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1988 | 16 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1984 | 17 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1979 | 12 |
| 1978 | 9 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1975 | 11 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1972 | 9 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1966 | 7 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1958 | 5 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 6 |