Declining since 2021, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Peony since 1985
Babies named Peony per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 14 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 34 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Peony is a floral name with deep roots in Greek mythology, yet it has only appeared on U.S. birth charts since 1985. Despite its ancient origin, it remains an exceptionally rare choice, ranked 13,208 as of 2025, with roughly 1 in every 267,878 baby girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity came in 2020, and since 2021 its usage has been slowly declining. The name has not been recorded in any of the usual top-ranking states, reflecting its niche appeal. Peony offers a distinctive botanical alternative to more common flower names like Rose or Lily, grounded in a mythological story of healing and transformation.
Peony derives from the Greek name Paeon, the physician of the gods in Greek mythology, who was turned into the flower by Zeus. The name entered English use in the 19th century as part of the Victorian flower-naming trend, but it has remained rare as a given name. Its use as a personal name began in the late 20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1985.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pea, Pia, Nia
Sibling names for Peony
Names that share Peony's style, for a brother or sister.
