Perić is a common patronymic surname in Croatia and Serbia. It means "son of Pero," a diminutive form of Petar, which is the Serbian and Croatian form of Peter. Peter ultimately derives from Greek Πέτρος (Petros), meaning "stone," and was famously the name of the apostle Simon Peter, whom Jesus called the "rock" of the Church. Etymology and Linguistic Formation Like many Slavic surnames ending in -ić, Perić is patronymic: it denotes descent from a male ancestor named Pera or Pero. The suffix -ić is characteristic of Croatian and Serbian surnames, equivalent to the English "-son." Thus, Perić literally signifies "little Pero" or "son of Pero." A closely related Croatian variant is Perko, and there are numerous parallel forms tied to the root Petar, such as Perković, Petković, Petrić, and Petrović, reflecting regional phonetic preferences. Across the Balkans and beyond, similar patronymics include Russian Petrov, Bulgarian variants, Armenian adaptations like Bedrosian, and Macedonian Pandev. Notable Bearers Numerous individuals with the surname Perić have achieved distinction. Notable sports figures include Borislava Perić (born 1972), a Serbian Paralympic table tennis player; Darko Perić (born 1978), a Croatian footballer; and Nicolás Peric (born 1978), a Chilean goalkeeper of Croatian origin. In the arts, Stjepan Perić (born 1983) is a recognized Croatian actor. Valter Perić (1919–1945) was a prominent resistance leader in Sarajevo during World War II, and Ratko Perić (born 1944) is a Croatian bishop of Mostar-Duvno. An alternate spelling Perich is also observed. Cultural Significance The widespread nature of the Perić surname in the Western Balkans underscores the deep-rooted Christian tradition of naming children after Saint Peter, considered the first pope and a foundational figure in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. The surname thus connects its bearers both to the broader biblical heritage and to the distinct naming conventions of South Slavic cultures. Meaning: "son of Pero" (diminutive of Petar, i.e., Peter) Origin: Patronymic surname from the given name Pero Type: Family name Usage regions: Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina