Perseus is the Greek hero who beheaded Medusa and rescued Andromeda, and his name is of uncertain origin, usually explained as "destroyer" from the Greek verb pertho. Ancient Greek names were rarely used in America until recently, but the Percy Jackson books and the Clash of the Titans films have made this one feel approachable. Perseus has risen from number 2474 in 2015 to number 1210 in 2025, its highest rank ever.