Peony

“牡丹 (Mǔdān) - representing wealth and good fortune.” — Associated with Greek mythology

China origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#11931US 2023

8Births / yr

↑Rising

76All-time births

📅 Since 198500

How to pronounce Peony

PEE·un·ee

/ˈpiː.ən.iː/ · stress on PEE · 3 syllables

“牡丹 (Mǔdān) - representing wealth and good fortune.”

Associated with Greek mythology · China origin

What does Peony mean and where does it come from?

Peony is a name derived from the peony flower, which has deep cultural significance in Chinese tradition, symbolizing wealth, good fortune, and prosperity. The name is also associated with Greek mythology, where Paeon, a physician of the gods, transformed into the peony flower. The usage of Peony as

Cultural significance

Peony has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in China-speaking communities, where it reflects values of 牡丹 (mǔdān) - representing wealth and good fortune..

Peak popularity

Reached #9105 in 2020 — currently #11931 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Peony?

Peony works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Peony Grace

How popular is Peony right now?

Rising — up 42 spots — currently #11931 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1985–2023#11931 · Top 8.8%

1985

2000

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#11931	8	▲ up 42
2022	#11973	8	▼ down 50
2021	#11923	8	▼ down 2818 · -27% births
2020	#9105	11	▲ up 8079 · +120% births
2015	#17184	5	▼ down 1117
2000	#16067	5	▼ down 6791 · -29% births
1985	#9276	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Peony

Best Year2020Rank #9105

Peak Count11

Average Rank#12494

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1985 - 20237 years

The story of Peony

Peony is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1985. With 76 total births recorded, Peony remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #9276 in 1985, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #11931 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Peony in 2020:

Olivia Emma Ava Charlotte Sophia

Peony by decade

Peony peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
1980s	14
1990s	6
2000s	11
2010s ★	34
2020s	11

💎Peony has only 76 total recorded births since 1985 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Peony?

Common

PeoPeiePey

What names sound and feel like Peony?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Peony also consider these

Evony

American · Life

Emony

American · A beloved name

English · a woman from

Betony

England · an herb; medicinal

Melony

American · Fruit name; refers

Debony

USA · A variant of

Common questions about the name Peony

What does the name Peony mean?

Peony means "牡丹 (Mǔdān) - representing wealth and good fortune." — a name rooted in China tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Peony?

Peony is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Peony have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Peony?

Peony originates from China tradition. China names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Peony?

Peony is a three-syllable name pronounced P IY1 AH0 N IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Peony?

Peony pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar China heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.