Is Perry a boy's or girl's name?

Perry is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 3,608 recorded births.

When was Perry most popular?

Perry reached its peak popularity in 1959 with 2,750 births that year. It is currently ranked #1242 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Perry?

Perry is currently ranked #1242 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 75,908 babies since 1880.

Perry

An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishRising Also a pet name

#1242▲ 134in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A topographic surname from Old English derived from the Old English pyrige (“a pear tree”).

Perry is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from a topographic surname meaning 'pear tree,' from the Old English pyrige. It has also been used as a short form of Peregrine, meaning 'traveler' or 'pilgrim.'

Perry was most popular in the United States from the 1940s through the 1960s, partly driven by the suave entertainer Perry Como. Today it has a vintage, slightly preppy charm — the kind of name that sounds like it belongs on a tennis court at a New England prep school.

Compare Perry with another name

Popularity Over Time

Perry was #800 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1242, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Perry
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	724	#1310	▼
2010s	1,390	#1287	▼
2000s	2,081	#890	▼
1990s	3,602	#547	▼
1980s	4,604	#393	▼
1970s	5,354	#341	▼
1960s	15,121	#191	▼
1950s	17,078	#173	▲
1940s	7,778	#210	▲
1930s	5,411	#223	—
1920s	5,838	#226	▲
1910s	3,636	#223	▲
1900s	1,047	#182	▲
1890s	989	#156	▼
1880s	1,255	#114	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Perry
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	160	#1242	+24 (17.6%)
2023	136	#1376	-1 (-0.7%)
2022	137	#1372	-8 (-5.5%)
2021	145	#1300	-1 (-0.7%)
2020	146	#1261	+14 (10.6%)
2019	132	#1362	-3 (-2.2%)
2018	135	#1338	-12 (-8.2%)
2017	147	#1248	+25 (20.5%)
2016	122	#1430	-18 (-12.9%)
2015	140	#1280	-11 (-7.3%)
2014	151	#1216	+12 (8.6%)
2013	139	#1259	-5 (-3.5%)
2012	144	#1233	-5 (-3.4%)
2011	149	#1192	+18 (13.7%)
2010	131	#1315	-32 (-19.6%)
2009	163	#1133	-3 (-1.8%)
2008	166	#1109	-17 (-9.3%)
2007	183	#1030	-12 (-6.2%)
2006	195	#957	+2 (1.0%)
2005	193	#915	-33 (-14.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Perry as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Perry has also been given to 3,608 girls in the U.S. since 1883.

#1915

Current rank

3,608

Total births

2023

Peak year

Compare Perry as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Perry be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Perry is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1242. As a girl's name, it ranks #1915.

Perry has two lives

Perry, the baby name

#1242boys

75,908 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology