Per
Every Per since 1923 — 369 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Per
Per is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1923, 369 American babies have been named Per. Its peak came in 1963, when 14 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Per stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Per year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #13,557 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 5 | #13,810 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 5 | #13,502 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 6 | #10,978 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 6 | #10,330 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7,362 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | #7,853 |
| 1985 | 5 | #7,312 |
| 1980 | 8 | #4,833 |
| 1975 | 5 | #6,073 |
| 1970 | 8 | #3,746 |
| 1965 | 8 | #3,181 |
| 1960 | 5 | #4,455 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Per
- Per Olov Enquist Writer · 1934–2020
- Per Albin Hansson Politician · 1885–1946
- Per Wahlöö Writer · 1926–1975
- Per Gessle Musician · b. 1959
- Per Brahe the Younger Politician · 1602–1680
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Per in 2025?
Per did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Per?
369 babies have been named Per in the United States since 1923, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Per most popular?
Per peaked in 1963, when 14 newborns received the name.
Is Per a boy or girl name?
Per is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Per rising or falling?
Per has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Per?
Well-known people named Per include Per Olov Enquist (writer), Per Albin Hansson (politician), Per Wahlöö (writer).