Fun Facts About the Name Peirce
- 94 babies named Peirce: U.S. records list 94 babies given the name Peirce from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Peirce Mean?
Peirce is an English spelling variant of Pierce, a surname-derived name meaning "rock" or "stone." It goes back to the Middle English personal name Piers, an English form of Old French Pierre and Latin Petrus, from Greek Petros, the masculine form related to petra, "rock." The Greek name in turn renders the Aramaic kēpā, "rock," the nickname Jesus gave to Simon Peter. The sense is literal "rock"; in English the word is a name inherited through the apostle, not a descriptive English noun.
Peirce Name History & Origins
The name came into English through Piers, the Middle English form of Peter. Because of Saint Peter, Peter was a common Christian name in medieval England, and Piers gave rise to surnames such as Pierce and Pearce. Peirce is one of the spelling variants of that surname; the different spellings do not point to different origins.
Peirce is primarily a surname, and its use as a first name is a transferred surname use. In that role it is usually an alternate spelling of Pierce rather than a separate traditional given name. The spelling is associated with Charles Sanders Peirce (1839 - 1914), the American philosopher and logician; his surname was pronounced "purse," one established pronunciation of Peirce.
How Popular is the Name Peirce?
Peirce 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 1999. Its best rank was #8,192 in 1992.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | #13,745 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #11,794 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #13,809 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #10,679 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #10,732 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #11,989 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #12,733 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #10,327 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #8,980 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #11,694 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #8,481 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #9,331 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #10,126 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #9,918 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #8,412 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #8,192 | 6 | 0.0003% |
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
How the Name Peirce 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.
✦ Peirce's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Peirce's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.