Pei first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Pei has been for the last 10 years (from 1974 to 1983) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Pei

A feminine Chinese name meaning "too much" or "surplus".

Popularity of Pei by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Pei is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1983, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Pei.

Year Male Count Female Count
1983 0 6
1982 0 6
1974 0 6

The history of the first name Pei

The given name Pei has its origins in the Chinese language. It first emerged during the ancient Zhou Dynasty, which ruled from around 1046 BC to 256 BC. The name is derived from the Chinese character 沛, which means "abundant" or "bountiful."

In ancient Chinese texts, the name Pei appears in historical records and literature from as early as the Spring and Autumn period, which spanned from approximately 771 BC to 476 BC. One notable mention is found in the ancient Chinese text, the Analects of Confucius, where a disciple named Pei Xiu is referenced.

The earliest recorded bearer of the name Pei was Pei Geng, a prominent scholar and calligrapher who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty, around the 2nd century AD. Another influential figure was Pei Xiu, a renowned poet and literary critic who lived during the Tang Dynasty, in the 8th century AD.

One of the most famous people with the name Pei was Pei Qian, a celebrated painter and calligrapher from the Song Dynasty, who lived from 1235 to 1307 AD. His works were highly influential in the development of Chinese art and calligraphy.

In later Chinese history, a notable figure was Pei Xirui, a prominent scholar and educator who lived during the Ming Dynasty, from 1369 to 1454 AD. He was known for his contributions to the education system and his philosophical writings.

Another prominent individual was Pei Wenzhong, a renowned military strategist and general who lived during the Qing Dynasty, from 1640 to 1718 AD. He played a significant role in the defense of the imperial court against rebel forces.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Pei was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pei, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Pei first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/pei-meaning-and-history/.

"Pei first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/pei-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 May, 2025

Pei first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/pei-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.