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Home › Baby Names Directory › Pericles

Pericles

♂ Boy

Pronounced PER-ih-kleez /ˈpɛr.ɪ.kliːz/Medium

Meaning: From Greek Perikles, from peri ('around') and kleos ('glory; fame') — 'surrounded by glory.' Borne by Pericles, the Athenian statesman who led Athens during its golden age in the fifth century BCE.Medium

In 30 seconds: A great Greek name: Pericles means 'surrounded by glory' — the Athenian statesman of the golden age (said 'PER-ih-kleez').
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningFrom Greek Perikles, from peri ('around') and kleos ('glory; fame') — 'surrounded by glory.' Borne by Pericles, the Athenian statesman who led Athens during its golden age in the fifth century BCE.
U.S. rank (2024)#13688 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1965
Total births (all-time)≈ 80

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196519212024

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

Pericles comes from Greek Perikles — peri, 'around,' and kleos, 'glory' — so 'surrounded by glory.' The statesman Pericles guided Athens through its golden age in the fifth century BCE, championing democracy and overseeing the building of the Parthenon. Shakespeare later gave the name to a play. It is a weighty, classical choice (said 'PER-ih-kleez').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys. Rare, classical, and grand.

Did you know? Pericles led Athens at its height — the Parthenon rose under his direction, and his funeral oration is one of the most famous speeches in history. His name means 'surrounded by glory' (said 'PER-ih-kleez').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Pericles — Greek peri + kleos; Athenian statesman

Variations

PeriklesPeriklis

Nicknames

PeriPerry

Famous Bearers

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If you like Pericles…

Achilles— a like heroic Greek name
Leonidas— a similar classical Greek pick
Alexander— a like great-name-of-antiquity choice
Orion— a similar Greek-rooted name

Explore names like Pericles

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Pericles mean?

Pericles is Greek for 'surrounded by glory' — from peri ('around') and kleos ('glory'). It was the name of the Athenian statesman.

How do you pronounce Pericles?

It's said PER-ih-kleez /ˈpɛr.ɪ.kliːz/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Pericles a boy or girl name?

Pericles is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Pericles?

Pericles is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

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