Piers Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEERS //pɪərz//
Origin: Latin; Old French
Meaning: Latin: rock; Old French: Pierre (stone)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Piers is derived from the Old French name "Pierre," which itself originates from the Latin "Petrus," meaning "rock" or "stone." The Latin term is a translation of the Greek word "Petros," which is associated with the biblical figure Saint Peter, one of Jesus Christ's apostles, who is often regarded as the foundation of the Christian Church. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when French influence permeated English culture and language, leading to the adoption of many French names, including Piers.
Historically, Piers has been associated with several notable figures and texts. One significant milestone is the 14th-century allegorical poem "Piers Plowman" by William Langland, which reflects the social and spiritual concerns of the time.
This work, written in Middle English, features Piers as a Christ-like figure representing the ideal of a just and virtuous life. The poem's popularity contributed to the name's resonance in medieval England, where it symbolized the virtues of hard work and moral integrity.
Culturally, the name Piers has been linked to various traditions and symbols throughout history. In medieval England, it was often associated with the agrarian lifestyle, reflecting the importance of farming and the land.
The name's connection to Saint Peter further imbued it with religious significance, as he is considered a protector and guide for Christians. Additionally, the diminutive form "Pierce" emerged as a variant, maintaining the same roots while offering a slightly different phonetic appeal.
Overall, Piers embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage and cultural significance that has endured through the centuries.
Famous people named Piers
In this section, you will find notable people named Piers. 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 Piers who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Piers 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.
Piers Morgan is a television presenter and journalist best known for Good Morning Britain, Britain's Got Talent, and CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight.
Piers Anthony is an author best known for the Xanth series, Incarnations of Immortality, and the Apprentice Adept series.
Fictional characters named Piers
The following list of fictional characters named Piers 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.
Piers Nivans is a fictional character from the video game series Resident Evil. He is a member of the BSAA and plays a significant role in combating bioterrorism alongside other protagonists.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Piers, 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 Piers. 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 Piers was first seen in the United States in 1952.
Piers has ranked as high as #1342 nationally, which occurred in 2013, and has been most popular in California, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Piers has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Piers 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 Piers was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Piers (2015)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 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 Piers.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1952 | 5 |