Boy
Percival
pierce the valley
About Percival
This name arrives wrapped in medieval grandeur and Arthurian legend, carrying centuries of literary and historical resonance. Percival belongs to that distinguished category of names that immediately evoke knights, quests, and chivalric ideals—it's the name of the knight who achieved the Holy Grail in various versions of the legends. The name's three syllables create stately rhythm, its classical construction offering substance and gravitas that lighter modern inventions cannot match.
Percival demands confidence from its bearer, making a bold statement about valuing tradition and embracing distinctive identity. It's decidedly not a name for everyone, which becomes precisely its appeal for certain parents—those seeking something genuinely uncommon with authentic historical roots. The built-in nickname Percy softens its formality for everyday use, providing flexibility across contexts. Parents choosing Percival often possess literary leanings and appreciation for names with narrative weight. It's distinguished, unmistakably British in character, and carries an aristocratic air that some will find charming and others overwhelming. Percival makes a statement.
Popularity of the Name Percival
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #790 | ||
| 1881 | #761 | ||
| 1882 | #919 | ||
| 1884 | #947 | ||
| 1885 | #821 | ||
| 1886 | #744 | ||
| 1889 | #951 | ||
| 1891 | #931 | ||
| 1892 | #781 | ||
| 1893 | #890 | ||
| 1894 | #841 | ||
| 1897 | #836 | ||
| 1901 | #923 | #84 | |
| 1902 | #912 | #69 | |
| 2022 | #948 | ||
| 2023 | #915 | ||
| 2024 | #878 | ||
| 2025 | #791 | ||
| 1900 | #82 | ||
| 1903 | #78 | ||
| 1904 | #83 | ||
| 1905 | #81 | ||
| 1906 | #81 | ||
| 1907 | #76 | ||
| 1908 | #85 | ||
| 1909 | #94 | ||
| 1910 | #90 | ||
| 1911 | #88 | ||
| 1912 | #91 | ||
| 1913 | #104 | ||
| 1914 | #103 | ||
| 1915 | #91 | ||
| 1916 | #112 | ||
| 1917 | #115 | ||
| 1918 | #102 | ||
| 1919 | #116 | ||
| 1921 | #155 | ||
| 1922 | #143 | ||
| 1925 | #130 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand
Variations of Name Percival
Names Similar to Percival
Nicknames for Percival
- Percy
- Perce
- Val
- Perry
Famous People Named Percival
| Percival Lowell | American astronomer |
| Percival Proctor Baxter | American conservationist |
| Percival Molson | Canadian businessman and philanthropist |
| Percival Pott | English surgeon |
| Percival Prattis | American journalist and civil rights activist |
| Percival Wilde | American playwright and novelist |
| Percival C. McLeach | Australian character from Disney's "The Rescuers Down Under" |
| Percival Graves | Character from J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World |
Characters Named Percival
| Percival Dumbledore | J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World |
| Percival "Percy" Weasley | J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World |
| Percival de Rolo III | Web series "Critical Role" |
| Percival C. McLeach | Disney's "The Rescuers Down Under" |
| Sir Percival | Arthurian legend |
| Percival "Perry" Cox | TV show "Scrubs" |
| Percival Graves | J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World |
| Percival "Percy" Jackson | "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series |
| Percival Dunwoody | "Captain Underpants" series |
| Percival "Percy" Wetmore | "The Green Mile" |