From Persian mythology, a beautiful supernatural being; also Greek for "around."
In Persian mythology, a Peri is a fallen angel — a radiant, winged spirit of extraordinary beauty who must perform acts of goodness to earn redemption and re-enter paradise. The word comes from the Avestan "pairikā," and Peris populate the great Persian epic tradition, appearing prominently in the "Shahnameh" of Ferdowsi and in Thomas Moore's romantic poem "Lalla Rookh" (1817), in which "The Fire-Worshippers" features a Peri as a celestial guide. Moore's wildly popular work introduced the Persian fairy concept to Western readers and embedded the name in the English literary imagination.
Beyond Persian culture, Peri functions as a given name across several traditions. In modern Turkish and Greek usage it is an independent name in its own right. In Hebrew-rooted naming, it means "fruit" (from the word "pri"), carrying connotations of abundance and fertility.
It also serves as an affectionate short form of Persephone — the Greek goddess of spring and the underworld — adding yet another mythological layer to a single small syllable. Peri has never fully entered the mainstream in English-speaking countries, which is precisely part of its charm. It feels breezy and bright, a two-syllable name that carries centuries of mythology in its compact frame.
In the United Kingdom it received a burst of attention through "Peri" in the Doctor Who revival (the Fifth and Sixth Doctor companion, Perpugilliam Brown), while in the United States it remains quietly beloved by parents drawn to its Persian fairy-tale roots. Its brevity, warmth, and layered cultural heritage make it a quietly remarkable choice.