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Pierce

♂ Boy

Pronounced PEERS /pɪrs/High

Meaning: Medieval English form of Piers, itself the Anglo-Norman French form of Peter, from Latin Petrus and Greek Petros, meaning 'rock' or 'stone'High

In 30 seconds: Pierce is a sharp, one-syllable English surname-name carrying the strength of Peter with a more dashing edge. Presidential heritage (Franklin Pierce) adds gravitas to its crisp sound.
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Origin HighEnglish, Latin, Greek, Old French
MeaningMedieval English form of Piers, itself the Anglo-Norman French form of Peter, from Latin Petrus and Greek Petros, meaning 'rock' or 'stone'
U.S. rank (2025)#505 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births598 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 20,244

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201518802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Pierce is the anglicized form of Piers, the medieval Anglo-Norman pronunciation of Peter. The Greek Petros meaning 'rock' was given by Jesus to Simon, his chief apostle, creating one of the most influential names in Western history. The Pierce spelling became a surname and then a given name particularly in the United States.

As a given name in America, Pierce is associated with President Franklin Pierce (1804–1869), the 14th U.S. president. It has enjoyed steady use as a distinguished, slightly formal first name, and benefits from the broader fashion for one-syllable surname-style boys' names.

Did you know? Piers Plowman, the great 14th-century allegorical poem by William Langland, placed the name Pierce/Piers at the center of medieval English literary culture — an everyman plowman whose simple righteousness guides the narrative.
Overall data confidence 91%
Behind the Name — Pierce — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PiersPeterPierre

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Franklin Pierce (1804–1869)
    14th President of the United States.
  • ★Pierce Brosnan (1953–present)
    Irish actor famous for his role as James Bond.

If you like Pierce…

Grant— one-syllable presidential surname-name with the same dignified feel
Hayes— another one-syllable presidential surname used as a boys' first name
Ford— sharp, one-syllable surname-name with strong historical associations
Clark— clean one-syllable surname-name with the same classic masculine appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Pierce mean?

Pierce is derived from Piers, the medieval French form of Peter, which comes from Greek Petros meaning 'rock' or 'stone.'

How do you pronounce Pierce?

It is said PEERS — one syllable.

Is Pierce a boy or girl name?

Pierce is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Pierce?

Pierce has been used steadily in the U.S. for decades and typically ranks in the top 400–600 boys' names.