Boy Name · English Origin
Percival
Percival — a boy name from the English tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Peaceful spirit", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Persephone is on your shortlist, Percival belongs in the same conversation.
Percival meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Peaceful spirit
Origin: English naming roots help connect Percival to related English baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Percival as P·E·R·C·I·V·A·L, with 8 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Percival is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Percival variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Percivala, Percivale, Percivaly, Perciva.
- Nicknames: Perc and P.
- Middle names: Pair Percival with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Percival middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Persephone, Pershing, Percell, Prescott, Perfecto — full picks on the sibling names for Percival guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Percival? Browse our names like Percival guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Percival
What does the name Percival mean?
Percival means "Peaceful spirit" and is of English origin.
What is the origin of Percival?
Percival originates in English naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Percival?
Percival has 8 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Percival a boy's or girl's name?
Percival is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Percival in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Percival sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Percival?
Names that share Percival's sound and style include Persephone, Pershing, Percell, Prescott, Perfecto.
What middle names pair well with Percival?
Good middle-name fits for Percival pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Percival is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Percival is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Percival?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Percival share its rhythm without rhyming — Persephone, Pershing, Percell all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.