Perez

♂ Boy

Pronounced PEH-res /ˈpɛ.rɛs/Medium

Meaning: From the Hebrew Peretz — 'a breach; a breakthrough; one who breaks forth'; a son of Judah, an ancestor of King David; also a Spanish surname ('son of Pedro'); we note the biblical linkLow

In 30 seconds: A breach; a breakthrough: Perez is Hebrew. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'PEH-res'). We note the biblical link.

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Origin LowHebrew

MeaningFrom the Hebrew Peretz — 'a breach; a breakthrough; one who breaks forth'; a son of Judah, an ancestor of King David; also a Spanish surname ('son of Pedro'); we note the biblical link

U.S. rank (2025)#10419 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 591

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Perez comes from the Hebrew Peretz — 'a breach; a breakthrough; one who breaks forth'; a son of Judah, an ancestor of King David; also a Spanish surname ('son of Pedro'; we note the biblical link). A crisp, classic name (said 'PEH-res').

In the U.S. it appears in Jewish and Hispanic families. Rare as a given name, a-breakthrough at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Perez (Peretz) is Hebrew for 'a breach; a breakthrough' — a son of Judah and ancestor of King David (also a Spanish surname) — a crisp, storied name (we note the biblical link; said 'PEH-res').

Overall data confidence 32%

References — Perez — Hebrew; biblical; also surname

Variations

PeretzPeretsPeres

Nicknames

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If you like Perez…

Peretz— the Hebrew source spelling

Judah— the father in the account

Boaz— a companion Davidic-line biblical boys' name

Jabez— shares the -ez ending

Jacquez— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Perez

By themehebrew biblical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Perez mean?

Perez (Peretz) is Hebrew for 'a breach; a breakthrough'; a son of Judah and ancestor of King David; also a Spanish surname. We note the biblical link.

How do you pronounce Perez?

It's said PEH-res /ˈpɛ.rɛs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Perez a boy or girl name?

Perez is a boy's name.

How popular is Perez?

Perez is a very rare given name in the U.S.