Purcell

French

"one who pierces the valley"

Purcell Origin and Meaning

The name Purcell is a boy's name.

Purcell is a masculine name derived from an English and Irish surname with Norman French origins. The surname comes from 'porcel' meaning 'little pig' or 'piglet,' possibly originating as a nickname or occupational name for someone who raised pigs. As a first name, Purcell remains extraordinarily rare, appealing to those seeking unusual surname-based options. The name gained some cultural recognition through association with Henry Purcell, the celebrated 17th-century English composer. Purcell has a dignified, classical quality with its connection to musical history, while its unusual nature as a first name offers distinctiveness. The name combines aristocratic English associations with a slightly rustic undertone from its etymological connection to farming traditions.

Famous People Named Purcell

• Edward Mills Purcell winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics

The name Purcell in Pop Culture

• Purcell Watkins from TV series "NYPD Blue"