Percival - name meaning and origin

The boy's name Percival \p(e)-rci-val, per-cival\ is of Old French origin, and its meaning is "pierce the vale". Invented by a medieval poet in the 12th century for one of King Arthur's knights whose virtue was so great that he alone could retrieve the elusive Holy Grail, the chalice from Christ's Last Supper. Wagner's opera Parsifal is based on this knight's tale.

Percival has 10 variant forms: Parsafal, Parsefal, Parsifal, Perce, Perceval, Percevall, Percey, Percivall, Percy and Purcell.

Percival is a very rare male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Percival. Compare Percival with related baby names.