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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Probably from the Welsh Arthurian name Peredur, reshaped in Old French to resemble 'pierce' + 'valley'
- Origin
- Old French (Arthurian, probably from Welsh/Celtic)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- PUR-si-vul
Percival is a boy's name, pronounced PUR-si-vul, with roots in Old French tied to Arthurian legend. You may see it translated as 'pierce the valley,' but that reading actually comes from a French reshaping of the name — likely coined by the 12th-century poet Chrétien de Troyes — rather than its true root, which scholars trace to the Welsh Arthurian name Peredur. It has an adventurous, far-ranging feel, the kind of name suited to a child drawn toward wide horizons.
Meaning & Origin of Percival
Meaning: Probably from the Welsh Arthurian name Peredur, reshaped in Old French to resemble 'pierce' + 'valley'.
Origin: Old French (Arthurian, probably from Welsh/Celtic).
A common claim: Percival is popularly translated as 'pierce the valley.' Actually: That reading comes from an Old French reshaping (likely coined by the 12th-century poet Chrétien de Troyes) rather than the name's true root, which scholars think is the Welsh Arthurian name Peredur.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Percival
PUR-si-vulIPA /ˈpɜːrsɪvəl/
Popularity of Percival
Percival hit its high point in U.S. Social Security data at #744 back in 1886, when just 8 babies were given the name. By 2024 it ranked #1768, but that year actually saw more babies named Percival — 93 in all.
Names Like Percival
These names share Percival’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Percival mean?
Probably from the Welsh Arthurian name Peredur, reshaped in Old French to resemble ‘pierce’ + ‘valley’. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Percival?
Percival is pronounced PUR-si-vul (IPA: /ˈpɜːrsɪvəl/).
Is Percival a popular name right now?
Percival peaked at #744 in 1886 and is ranked #1768 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Percival Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Percival, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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