Find out how popular the first name Peretz has been for the last 37 years (from 1987 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Peretz by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Peretz is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Peretz.

The history of the first name Peretz

The name Peretz is a Yiddish variation of the Hebrew name Perez, which originates from the Biblical Hebrew word "paratz," meaning "to break through" or "to breach." The name has its roots in ancient Jewish culture and is mentioned in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible.

In the biblical narrative, Perez was one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar. His name was given to him because he "broke through" the womb before his brother during childbirth. The story of Perez and his brother Zerah is recorded in Genesis 38:27-30.

The name Peretz gained popularity among Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. It was commonly used in Yiddish-speaking communities and became a popular name among Jewish families.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Peretz can be found in the works of the 12th-century Jewish philosopher and poet Judah Halevi, who mentioned a person named Peretz in his writings.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Peretz. These include:

1. Peretz Smolenskin (1842-1885), a Russian-Jewish writer, philosopher, and advocate for the revival of the Hebrew language.
2. Peretz Markish (1895-1952), a Soviet Yiddish poet and playwright known for his works depicting the struggles of the Jewish working class.
3. Peretz Opochensky (1892-1944), a Russian-Jewish painter and graphic artist known for his depictions of Jewish life and culture.
4. Peretz Bernstein (1890-1971), a Polish-born American lawyer and writer who served as the United States Minister to Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1947.
5. Peretz Hirshbein (1880-1948), a Yiddish novelist and playwright who wrote extensively about Jewish life in Eastern Europe.

The name Peretz has maintained its significance within Jewish communities, particularly among those of Eastern European descent. While its usage may have declined in recent times, it remains a cherished name with deep cultural and historical roots.

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

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

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