Peri Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEH-ree //ˈpɛri//
Origin: Greek; Persian
Meaning: Greek: a fruit; Persian: a type of tree
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Peri has its roots in ancient languages, primarily deriving from the Persian word "pari," which refers to a fairy or a celestial being. This term is linked to the concept of beauty and grace, often associated with mythological figures in Persian literature.
The name made its way into English through various cultural exchanges, particularly during the 19th century when Western interest in Persian poetry and folklore surged, notably through translations of works like the "Shahnameh" and the writings of poets such as Rumi and Hafez. Historically, the name Peri has been used in various forms across different cultures.
In Persian mythology, the Peri is depicted as a benevolent spirit, often portrayed as a beautiful woman with magical abilities. This figure has been influential in Persian art and literature, symbolizing the ideal of beauty and the supernatural.
The name's introduction into English literature can be traced back to the Romantic period, when poets and writers began to incorporate Eastern themes into their works, celebrating the exotic and the mystical. Culturally, the name Peri resonates with themes of enchantment and ethereal beauty, often evoking images of fairy-like beings in folklore.
This association has contributed to its appeal in various artistic expressions, including literature and visual arts. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Perry" have emerged, though they carry different connotations and usages.
Overall, the name Peri encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the enduring fascination with the mystical and the beautiful in human storytelling.
Famous people named Peri
In this section, you will find notable people named Peri. 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 Peri who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Peri 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.
Peri Gilpin is an actress best known for Frasier, Make It or Break It, and The Twilight Zone.
Peri M. M. K. is a writer best known for her contributions to various literary works and anthologies.
Fictional characters named Peri
The following list of fictional characters named Peri 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.
Peri Brown is a fictional character from the TV series Doctor Who. She is a companion of the Fifth and Sixth Doctors, known for her intelligence and bravery.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Peri, 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 Peri. 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 Peri was first seen in the United States in 1936.
Peri has ranked as high as #1819 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Peri has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Peri 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 Peri was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Peri.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 2024 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2023 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 2022 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 2021 | 41 | 0 | 41 |
| 2020 | 38 | 0 | 38 |
| 2019 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2017 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 2016 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 2015 | 40 | 0 | 40 |
| 2014 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 2013 | 38 | 0 | 38 |
| 2012 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 2011 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2010 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2009 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 2008 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2007 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| 2006 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 2005 | 48 | 0 | 48 |
| 2004 | 49 | 0 | 49 |
| 2003 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 2002 | 66 | 0 | 66 |
| 2001 | 61 | 0 | 61 |
| 2000 | 72 | 0 | 72 |
| 1999 | 65 | 0 | 65 |
| 1998 | 68 | 0 | 68 |
| 1997 | 62 | 0 | 62 |
| 1996 | 65 | 0 | 65 |
| 1995 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 1994 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 1993 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1992 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1991 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1990 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1989 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1988 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1987 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1986 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1985 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1984 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1983 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1982 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1981 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1980 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1979 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1978 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1977 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1976 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1975 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1974 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1973 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1972 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1971 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1970 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1969 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1968 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 1967 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1966 | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 1965 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1964 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1963 | 41 | 0 | 41 |
| 1962 | 52 | 0 | 52 |
| 1961 | 70 | 0 | 70 |
| 1960 | 97 | 5 | 92 |
| 1959 | 83 | 5 | 78 |
| 1958 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 1957 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1956 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1955 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1954 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1953 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1952 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1951 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1950 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1949 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1948 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1947 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1945 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1940 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1936 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Peri (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 7 |