Percival

At a Glance: Name: 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) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: PUR-si-vul

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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

Phonetic: PUR-si-vul   IPA: /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.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name 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.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Boone
• Dashiell
• Dax
• Etienne
• Lamar
• LeBron

FAQ

What does the name Percival mean?

Probably from the welsh arthurian name peredur, reshaped in old french to resemble ‘pierce’ + ‘valley’. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Percival)

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.)

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