Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Percell

Percell

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Percell

Pronounced per-SEL /pərˈsɛl/Medium

Meaning: Percell is a spelling variant of the surname Purcell, from the Old French pourcel, 'little pig' or 'piglet', a nickname surname that may have marked a swineherd or simply been an affectionate byname. Well known through the composer Henry Purcell, the name occasionally passed to American boys as a first name.Low

In 30 seconds: Percell is a variant of Purcell, from Old French for 'piglet'. This surname-name saw light use for boys near 1953 (said per-SEL).
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowFrench, English
MeaningPercell is a spelling variant of the surname Purcell, from the Old French pourcel, 'little pig' or 'piglet', a nickname surname that may have marked a swineherd or simply been an affectionate byname. Well known through the composer Henry Purcell, the name occasionally passed to American boys as a first name.
U.S. rank (2004)#12734 ↘ Falling
2004 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1953
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,064

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195319072004

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Percell respells Purcell, a surname from the Old French pourcel, 'piglet', a byname that could point to a pig-keeper or simply a fond nickname. The surname carries real prestige through the Baroque composer Henry Purcell, and American families occasionally lifted it into use as a given name.

As a first name it was always scarce, appearing for only a couple dozen boys a year around its high in the early nineteen-fifties. It reads as an unusual surname-name with a soft musical association.

Did you know? Percell traces to a French word for 'piglet', one of many affectionate animal nicknames that became lasting family surnames.
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Percell / Purcell — Old French pourcel 'piglet'; surname-name

Variations

PurcellPurcellePersell

Nicknames

PercyCell

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Percell…

Marcel— a like French-rooted boy's name
Percy— a short name close in sound and feel
Pernell— another vintage pick
Darrell— another English name
Lowell— another vintage pick

Explore names like Percell

By themevintagesurname-namefrench

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Percell mean?

It's a variant of Purcell, from the Old French pourcel meaning 'piglet', a nickname surname.

How do you pronounce Percell?

It's said per-SEL /pərˈsɛl/, two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Percell a boy or girl name?

Percell is used as a boy's name.

Is Percell a popular name?

No, it has always been rare, a surname used lightly as a first name for boys in the mid twentieth century.

💬 Ask Nia