Perry

Meaning of Perry

Perry began life as an English surname, most likely taken from the Middle English perrie, “pear tree,” a topographic label for someone who lived near an orchard; scholars also note occasional links to the Welsh patronymic “ap Harry” and to the medieval given name Peregrine, but those trails are side roads rather than the main route. As a given name it peaked in mid-century America—hovering around the Top 150 in the 1950s—before settling into today’s low-key, mid-hundreds niche that keeps it familiar yet far from overworked. The roster of namesakes is agreeably mixed: naval hero Oliver Hazard Perry, courtroom icon Perry Mason, the late actor Matthew Perry, and pop star Katy Perry all lend the name a quietly versatile profile. Unisex by habit and only two brisk syllables long, Perry offers parents a straightforward choice with just enough orchard-fresh heritage to keep things interesting.