Find out how popular the first name Peregrine has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Peregrine by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Peregrine is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 67% of people named Peregrine being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 28 male babies and 15 female babies born with the name Peregrine.

The history of the first name Peregrine

The name Peregrine originates from the Latin word "peregrinus" which means "traveler" or "foreigner." It has its roots in ancient Roman culture and was used as a cognomen or family name during the time of the Roman Empire.

The name gained wider popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly due to its association with the French noble family of Peregrine. This family traced its lineage back to a knight named Peregrine, who had participated in the Crusades and was known for his travels to distant lands.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Peregrine can be found in the hagiography of Saint Peregrine, a 13th-century Italian friar who was known for his devotion to the sick and his miraculous healing powers. His feast day is celebrated on May 1st in the Catholic Church.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Peregrine. One of the most famous was Peregrine White, born in 1620, who was the first English child born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the son of William and Susanna White, who were among the Pilgrims on the Mayflower.

Another prominent figure was Peregrine Pickle, the fictional protagonist of the novel "The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle" by Tobias Smollett, published in 1751. This picaresque novel follows the adventures and misadventures of a roguish hero and provides a satirical commentary on 18th-century British society.

In the field of exploration, Peregrine Osborne (1825-1892) was a British naval officer and explorer who led expeditions to the Arctic regions in the 19th century. He is known for his extensive surveys and mapping of the coasts of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1555-1601), was an English nobleman and military commander who served as Lord Deputy of Ireland during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He played a significant role in the Tudor conquest of Ireland and the suppression of the Nine Years' War.

In the realm of literature, Peregrine Acland (1835-1919) was an English writer and poet who published several collections of poetry, including "A Chaplet of Verse" and "The Poems of Peregrine Acland." He was also a prominent figure in the Oxford Movement within the Church of England.

These are just a few examples of notable figures throughout history who have borne the name Peregrine, a name that carries with it a sense of travel, adventure, and exploration.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Peregrine, 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!