Per Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Per originates from the Scandinavian adaptation of the Old Norse name 'Petrus', meaning 'rock'. Its language path includes historical forms such as Petrus and Peter. The name conveys traits of strength and stability, and it has no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages and remains a recognized name today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Per"
Pronunciation
/pɛr/
Origin
Scandinavian
Etymology
The name Per is derived from the Old Norse name 'Petrus', which means 'rock' or 'stone'.
Meaning
rock
Language Evolution
Petrus, Per, Peter
Historical Usage
The name Per has been used in Scandinavia since the Middle Ages and has gained popularity due to its association with the biblical name Peter.
Variants & Derivatives
Peter, Peder, Petr
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Per is viewed as a traditional yet modern Scandinavian name, often associated with strength and reliability.
Famous People
Per Gessle, Per Mertesacker, Per Olov Enquist
📊 Per Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Per Name Visualizations
✨ Per Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 14 peak births in 1963
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Per"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Per"
"Per" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7162nd of 7545 | 6 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3480th of 7552 | 102 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3523rd of 10718 | 137 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7383rd of 16616 | 70 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13297th of 24088 | 44 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Per" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Per" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Per"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Per" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Per" in the United States
Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Per' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7162nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6773rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3480th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3523rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7383rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13297th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 23106th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Per' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.