Percival Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Percival originates from Old French and Latin, meaning 'to pierce the valley'. It has evolved through several historical forms, including Latin 'Percivalis' and Old French 'Perceval'. The name is linked to traits of nobility and bravery, particularly through its association with Arthurian legend. There is no biblical relevance. The name gained popularity during the medieval period and remains recognized today, often seen as noble and adventurous.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Percival"
Pronunciation
/ˈpɜr.sɪ.vəl/
Origin
Old French, Latin
Etymology
The name Percival is derived from the Old French 'Perceval', which is believed to stem from the Latin 'percevalis', meaning 'to pierce the valley'. The name is famously associated with the Arthurian legend as one of the Knights of the Round Table.
Meaning
Pierce the valley
Language Evolution
Latin: Percivalis, Old French: Perceval, Middle English: Perceval
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the medieval period, especially due to its association with the legend of King Arthur and the quests of the knights. It became more widely used in literature and culture during the 12th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Percy, Perceval, Percevale
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Percival is often viewed as an old-fashioned but noble name, associated with chivalry and adventure due to its legendary connections.
Famous People
Percival Lowell, American astronomer, Percival Proctor, British artist, Percival P. McGuire, Canadian politician
📊 Percival Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Percival Name Visualizations
✨ Percival Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 93 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 8 US states, with strongest presence in Washington
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 "Percival"
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 "Percival"
"Percival" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1981st of 7545 | 259 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3221st of 6773 | 101 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3112th of 7552 | 135 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3627th of 10718 | 129 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5770th of 16616 | 113 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10204th of 24088 | 82 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3233rd of 23106 | 427 |
Regional Popularity of "Percival" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
78.61% 1084th/1379 |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
68.05% 2711th/3984 |
- |
52.27% 3566th/6822 |
57.33% 3598th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Percival" 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 "Percival"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Percival" 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 "Percival" in the United States
The name Percival is most popular in Washington, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Percival has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Percival' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1981st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3221st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3112th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3627th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5770th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10204th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3233rd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Percival' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.