Periklis as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Periklis

What is the meaning of the name Periklis ?

The baby name Periklis is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /pe.riˈklis/ — peh-ree-KLEES.

Periklis is Greek in Origin.

Periklis is the modern Greek form (Περικλής) of the ancient name Periklēs, built from the elements peri “around, exceedingly” and kleos “glory, renown.” The composite conveys “surrounded by glory” or “very famous,” a meaning echoed across classical literature. In English and other languages the Latinized form Pericles is more common, while Periklis preserves contemporary Greek spelling and stress.

The name’s stature stems from Pericles of Athens (5th century BCE), whose leadership during the city’s Golden Age endowed it with enduring cultural prestige. Usage has remained steady within Greece and the Greek diaspora, with renewed popularity during 19th–20th‑century national revivals, but it is uncommon elsewhere. Established variants include Pericles (English/Latinized), Péricles (Portuguese), Pericle (Italian, Romanian), and Péricles (Spanish, rare); scholarly transliteration Periklēs also appears. Feminine counterparts are Perikleia/Periclea and modern Periklia, and informal short forms such as Peri are sometimes used.