Peng
A Chinese given name meaning "peaceful" or "prosperous".
Name Census estimates that about 219 living Americans carry the first name Peng. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Peng today is around 37 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Peng births was 1995 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Peng. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
219
~ 1 in 1,565,088 Americans
Peak year
1995
19 babies that year
Average age
37
years old
2001 SSA rank
#11,852
Tracked since 1981
Popularity
Peng: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Peng from the 1980s through to the 2000s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 117 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Peng by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Peng during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Pengs live
Origin
Meaning and history of Peng
The name Peng is believed to have originated from the Chinese language, with its roots tracing back to ancient times. Peng is a single-character name that carries a rich history and cultural significance.
In Chinese, the character "彭" (Peng) is composed of two radicals – "彳" (representing a footprint or a path) and "勻" (meaning to level or equalize). This combination suggests a sense of balance, stability, and a steady progression forward. The name Peng has been associated with virtues such as resilience, perseverance, and a harmonious approach to life.
The earliest recorded use of the name Peng can be found in historical records dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC). During this period, the name was often bestowed upon individuals from noble or influential families, reflecting their status and aspirations for their children.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Peng was Peng Zu, a legendary figure from Chinese mythology who was believed to have lived for over 800 years. He was revered for his longevity and wisdom, and his name became synonymous with the pursuit of a long and fulfilling life.
Another prominent individual named Peng was Peng Dehuai (1898–1974), a Chinese military leader who played a significant role in the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War. He was a highly respected strategist and a close comrade of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China.
In the realm of literature, Peng Cheng (1872–1949) was a renowned Chinese writer and poet who made significant contributions to the modern Chinese literary canon. His works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, earning him a place among the most celebrated poets of his time.
Peng Shikuan (1629–1701), a renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher from the Qing Dynasty, was also a notable figure associated with the name Peng. His intricate brush strokes and mastery of traditional Chinese painting techniques have left a lasting legacy in the art world.
Another notable figure was Peng Jiamu (1912–1997), a Chinese nuclear physicist who played a crucial role in China's development of nuclear technology. His groundbreaking research and contributions to the field of physics have been widely recognized and celebrated.
People
Peng + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Peng as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Peng: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Peng?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 219 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Peng going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,565,088 US residents.
Is Peng a common name?
We classify Peng as "Very Rare". It ranks above 75.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 227 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Peng most popular?
The single biggest year for Peng was 1995, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Peng is about 37 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Peng a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Peng in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.