Perrish
Of Old English origin, meaning "to perish" or "to die".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Perrish. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Perrish today is around 33 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Perrish births was 1992 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Perrish. 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.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Perrish. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
1992
6 babies that year
Average age
33
years old
1992 SSA rank
#8,197
Tracked since 1992
Popularity
Perrish: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Perrish 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 Perrish during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Perrish
The name Perrish is a unique and intriguing moniker with a rich history. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient language of Sumerian, which flourished in Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE. In this ancient tongue, the word "perish" meant "to bloom" or "to blossom," suggesting a connection to nature and the cycles of growth and renewal.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Perrish can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian epic poem dating back to around 2100 BCE. In this ancient text, a character named Perrish is mentioned as a valiant warrior and companion to the legendary hero Gilgamesh. This reference highlights the name's historical roots and its association with strength and bravery.
As civilizations rose and fell, the name Perrish underwent various transformations and adaptations. In ancient Greece, a similar name, "Perissos," was used, meaning "abundant" or "plentiful." This variation reflects the name's connection to fertility and abundance, further emphasizing its ties to the natural world.
During the Middle Ages, the name Perrish resurfaced in various European regions, often spelled as "Perris" or "Perrysh." One notable bearer of this name was Perris of Arles, a 12th-century French nobleman and crusader who played a significant role in the Third Crusade. His legacy serves as a testament to the name's enduring presence throughout history.
In the Renaissance era, the name Perrish gained popularity in certain artistic circles. One prominent figure was Perrish Raphael, an Italian painter and sculptor who lived from 1483 to 1520. His works, including the famous fresco "The School of Athens," showcased his exceptional talent and contributed to the cultural renaissance of the time.
Another noteworthy individual with the name Perrish was Perrish Marlowe, an English playwright and poet who lived from 1564 to 1593. His influential works, such as "Doctor Faustus" and "The Jew of Malta," left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of the Elizabethan era.
As time progressed, the name Perrish continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. One such individual was Perrish Whitman, an American poet and essayist who lived from 1819 to 1892. His profound works, including "Leaves of Grass," celebrated nature, individuality, and the human experience, resonating with the name's original meaning of "to bloom."
While the name Perrish has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, its unique and captivating sound has ensured its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods. From ancient warriors and crusaders to artists and poets, those who have borne this name have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of human history.
People
Perrish + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Perrish 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
Perrish: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Perrish?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Perrish 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 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Perrish a common name?
We classify Perrish as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Perrish most popular?
The single biggest year for Perrish was 1992, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Perrish is about 33 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Perrish in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Perrish a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Perrish 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.
Is Perrish still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Perrish in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Perrish can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Perrish?
For a quick modern take, check how many people have the name Perrish on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.