Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Perry
UnisexEnglish, Old English· “pear tree”
- Meaning
- pear tree
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- PEH-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,373
- US babies 2025
- 135
- Best rank
- #101 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Perry
Perry is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “pear tree”.
Perry comes from an English surname meaning "pear tree," from the Old English pirige, used for someone who lived near a pear tree. It can also be a pet form of Peregrine. The name gained wide recognition in the twentieth century through the singer Perry Como and the fictional lawyer Perry Mason. Perry is used mostly for boys and occasionally for girls, and it has a friendly, laid-back sound. Its short, simple form makes it easy to pair with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Parry.
Popularity over time
Perry has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 127 different years. Its best national rank was #101 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1959, when 2,751 were named Perry. In 2025, 135 babies were named Perry, and it ranked #1,373 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #233 in 1920, #193 in 1950, #387 in 1980, #679 in 2000, #1,315 in 2010, and #1,373 in 2025. Of the 76,044 US boys named Perry since records began, 22% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 15,121 babies. Since 2010, 2,251 more have been named Perry.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Kerry.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Perry ranked highest in Montana, Iowa, and Kansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #272 | 5 |
| Iowa | #557 | 6 |
| Kansas | #672 | 5 |
| Minnesota | #783 | 6 |
| South Carolina | #841 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Perry is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 33% of US babies named Perry were girls and 67% were boys.
Perry is usually pronounced PEH-ree, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-ry”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Parry.
Middle names for Perry
A few middle names that flow with Perry: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Perry
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Lists that include Perry
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Perry mean?
Perry is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “pear tree”.
What is the origin of the name Perry?
Perry has English and Old English roots. Perry comes from an English surname meaning "pear tree," from the Old English pirige, used for someone who lived near a pear tree.
Is Perry a popular name?
Not especially. Perry ranked #1,373 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Perry a boy or girl name?
Perry is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 33% of US babies named Perry were girls and 67% were boys.
How do you pronounce Perry?
Perry is usually pronounced PEH-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings