Peony
The peony or paeony is any flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Scientists differ on the number of species that can be distinguished, ranging from 25 to 40, although the current consensus describes 33 known species. The relationships between the species need to be further clarified.
- English
Meaning & Origin of Peony
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
The peony or paeony is any flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Scientists differ on the number of species that can be distinguished, ranging from 25 to 40, although the current consensus describes 33 known species. The relationships between the species need to be further clarified.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- English
The Story of Peony
Peony first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby girl name in 1985, with 7 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2020, when 11 Peonys were born — ranking #8,947 that year. As of 2026, Peony ranks #15,243 for baby girls with 5 births, gradually falling (-15%). In total, more than 105 Peonys have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1980s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Peony
Phonetically similar names — useful when Peony is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Paeony
- Piani
- Piony
- Piano
- Peon
- Pian
- Pany
- Punny
- Peonies
- Paean
- Peons
- Peny
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Peony
What does the name Peony mean?
What is the origin of the name Peony?
How popular is Peony in 2026?
When was Peony most popular?
Is Peony a unisex name?
What names go well with Peony?
About the name Peony
Peony is a girl baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1985 and has accumulated 105 births in the dataset. Peony's peak popularity came in 2020 when it ranked #8,947. Use the chart and map above to compare Peony's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2020 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "P" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.