The first name Piers
A boy’s name from Greek.
Pronounced /pɪɹz/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
A Middle English vernacular form of Peter, from Old French Piers, from Latin Petrus. Doublet of Pedro, Peter, and Boutros.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Piers last appeared in the official list in 2022, given to 4 boys. It peaked in 1998, with 89 births (#296).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Piers with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Piers at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 5 boys born in the United States were named Piers, the 13,407th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2013, when 20 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Other spellings and forms
Famous people named Piers
6 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Piers SellersBritish-born American astronaut, 1955–2016
- Piers AnthonyEnglish-American writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, born 1934
- Piers Paul ReadBritish writer (born 1941)
- Piers BohlBaltic German mathematician (1865-1921)
- Piers HaggardBritish film and television director, 1939–2023
- Piers CorbynBritish political activist (born 1947)
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Piers mean?
- A Middle English vernacular form of Peter, from Old French Piers, from Latin Petrus. Doublet of Pedro, Peter, and Boutros.
- What is the origin of the name Piers?
- A Middle English vernacular form of Peter, from Old French Piers, from Latin Petrus. Doublet of Pedro, Peter, and Boutros.
- How popular is the name Piers?
- In 2022, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Piers, ranking 4,001st. Its peak was 1998, with 89 births.
- Is Piers a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 295 US babies named Piers since 1880 were boys.
- When was Piers most popular?
- 2013 in the United States, when 20 babies were named Piers, its highest rank at 4,755th.
- How do you pronounce Piers?
- Piers is /pɪɹz/, one syllable.
- What are other spellings of Piers?
- Pierce.
- Is Piers also a surname?
- Yes. Piers is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.