Declining since 1999, #5,554 for girls today.
Popularity of Peri since 1936
Babies named Peri per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 35 |
| 1950s | 254 |
| 1960s | 438 |
| 1970s | 99 |
| 1980s | 141 |
| 1990s | 462 |
| 2000s | 499 |
| 2010s | 343 |
| 2020s | 189 |
Meaning & origin
Peri is a name of uncertain derivation, possibly arising as an English diminutive of Periwinkle or a variant of Perry, or drawing from the Persian mythological term for a fairy. First recorded for girls in the United States in 1936, it saw its peak usage in 1960, when it ranked highest in popularity. Since 1999, its frequency has been declining; by 2025 it ranked 5,554, with only about 1 in every 73,058 girls given the name. Though not currently common in any particular state, Peri carries a light, whimsical quality that fits within modern naming trends favoring short, vowel-ending names.
Peri is a name with multiple possible origins. In English, it may have emerged as a diminutive of Periwinkle, the flower name, or as a feminine variant of Perry, itself from the English surname meaning 'pear tree.' Alternatively, it could be derived from the Persian 'پری' (pari), meaning 'fairy' or 'supernatural being,' though this connection is speculative for contemporary usage. The name saw modest use in the United States beginning in the mid-20th century, with a peak in the 1960s.
Sibling names for Peri
Names that share Peri's style, for a brother or sister.
