Perseus Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PUR-see-us //ˈpɜːr.si.əs//
Origin: Greek
Meaning: to destroy; to save
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Perseus has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word 'perso,' which means 'to destroy' or 'to ravage.' The name is most famously associated with the mythological hero Perseus, a central figure in Greek mythology who is known for slaying the Gorgon Medusa and rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster. The tales of Perseus were recorded in various ancient texts, including those by the poet Hesiod in the 8th century BCE and later by Apollodorus in the 2nd century CE, establishing his significance in the mythological canon.
Perseus's adventures and lineage are detailed in various works of classical literature, including Ovid's "Metamorphoses" in the 1st century CE, which further popularized his story throughout the Roman Empire. The myth of Perseus has been a subject of artistic representation since antiquity, influencing countless works of art, literature, and drama.
His narrative embodies themes of heroism, bravery, and the triumph of good over evil, which resonated deeply in ancient Greek culture and continued to be relevant in later periods. In addition to his mythological significance, the name Perseus has been associated with various cultural symbols, including the constellation named after him, which has been recognized since antiquity.
The constellation Perseus is often depicted in star maps and has been a point of reference in navigation and storytelling. The enduring legacy of the name is also reflected in its use in various forms of literature and art throughout history, symbolizing strength and valor.
The diminutive form 'Percy' has also emerged in some contexts, although it is less directly tied to the original mythological figure.
Fictional characters named Perseus
The following list of fictional characters named Perseus 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.
Perseus is a fictional character from Greek mythology. He is a legendary hero known for slaying the Gorgon Medusa and rescuing Andromeda.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Perseus, 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 Perseus. 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 Perseus was first seen in the United States in 1983.
Perseus has ranked as high as #1208 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Perseus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Perseus 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 Perseus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Perseus (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 16 | |
| TX | 11 | |
| MI | 9 | |
| IN | 8 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| FL | 6 | |
| AZ | 5 | |
| TN | 5 | |
| KS | 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 Perseus.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 152 |
| 2023 | 123 |
| 2022 | 130 |
| 2021 | 128 |
| 2020 | 110 |
| 2019 | 105 |
| 2018 | 93 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2014 | 47 |
| 2013 | 60 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1983 | 6 |