Purdy

An old-fashioned feeling nickname, based on a colloquial pronunciation of the word "pretty", Purdy (also spelled Purdie and Purdey) could be used as a short form of Perdita, as a nickname for Persephone, Penelope, Prudence, or Pearl, and as a more general nickname for girls, in the same way that Birdie or Scout might be used.

As a surname, Purdy also has its origins in the Old French phrase, pur die meaning "by god", though it is unlikely that this is what those who've chosen it for their daughters in recent years had in mind. In fact, as a given name, it has been used most notably in the UK where a small handful of girls have received the name most years since 2009.

Purdy is also given to boys.

Pronounced PER-dee.

As of October 2026, Purdy ranked #4069 for boys in US births in 1918 SSA, peaked at #3149 for boys in 1917.