Find out how popular the first name Pepper has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pepper by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Pepper is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 95% of people named Pepper being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 128 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Pepper.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Pepper in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Pepper

The given name Pepper is derived from the Old English word "pipor," which in turn comes from the Latin "piper," meaning "pepper" or "peppercorn." This name has its origins in the spice trade and was likely bestowed upon someone who worked with or traded in pepper, or perhaps someone who had a fiery or peppery personality.

The earliest recorded use of Pepper as a given name dates back to the late 16th century in England. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Pepper Draper, a merchant and landowner who lived in Lincolnshire, England in the late 1500s.

In the 17th century, Pepper became a popular name among the Puritans in New England, who often chose names with biblical or symbolic meanings. One notable bearer of this name was Pepper Whitcomb, a soldier and farmer who fought in the American Revolutionary War and lived from 1753 to 1824.

As the spice trade flourished and pepper became more widely available, the name continued to gain popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pepper Adams, an American jazz baritone saxophonist and composer, was born in 1930 and made a significant contribution to the jazz scene in the mid-20th century.

Pepper Potts, a fictional character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has also brought some attention to the name in recent years. Played by Gwyneth Paltrow, Pepper Potts is the personal assistant and love interest of Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man.

Another famous bearer of the name was Pepper Martin, an American baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1930s and was known for his speed and defensive skills on the field. He was born in 1904 and played in the major leagues from 1928 to 1944.

While not as common as some other given names, Pepper has a unique and interesting history that reflects its roots in the world of spices and trade. It has been borne by various notable individuals throughout history, spanning fields such as sports, music, and literature.

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 Pepper was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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