Fun Facts About the Name Peary
- 6 babies named Peary: U.S. records list 6 babies given the name Peary from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Peary Mean?
Peary is an English surname used as a given name, generally treated as a variant spelling of Perry. Its usual derivation is topographic, from Middle English pirie, "pear tree," which comes from Old English pirige. The original sense was a person who lived by a pear tree, so the literal meaning is "pear tree" or "dweller by the pear tree."
Perry also has other possible origins, including the Old French personal name Perri, a pet form of Pierre (Peter), and Welsh ap Harry, "son of Harry." Those alternatives belong to Perry as a whole; the pear-tree explanation is the one commonly given for Peary, but a particular family's origin would have to be established from its own records.
Peary Name History & Origins
The surname developed in England from the Middle English common noun pirie, a pear tree, which descends from Old English pirige. Such surnames were descriptive or topographic, identifying a person by a landmark near his home, in this case a pear tree. Peary is one spelling in the same English surname tradition as Perry; the ea spelling is a variant form and does not point to a separate root.
As a first name, Peary is a transferred use of the surname and is encountered only occasionally. The surname is chiefly familiar from the American naval officer and Arctic explorer Robert Edwin Peary (1856 - 1920), whose expeditions in northern Greenland and attempts to reach the North Pole brought it wide public attention. That association does not establish how or when Peary began to be used as a first name.
How Popular is the Name Peary?
Peary has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1923. Its best rank was #4,135 in 1923.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | #4,135 | 6 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Boy Names That Start with P
Short Boy Names That Start with P
How the Name Peary Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Peary's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Peary's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.