Percy

Percy developed from a Norman surname associated with a place name and became established as a given name in England. Its history is separate from Percival, so the often-repeated interpretation “one who pierces the valley” is not a secure explanation of Percy itself. Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley is a prominent historical bearer.

Children’s literature offers several familiar Percys, including Percy Weasley and Percy Jackson, whose longer name is Perseus. In those particular contexts Percy can serve as a short form, but the older surname-based name does not need a longer version. That distinction lets families choose the standalone name or a literary nickname relationship deliberately.