Perkins is an English surname and given name of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name Peterkin, which is a diminutive of Peter. The name Peter itself comes from the Greek word 'petros', meaning 'rock'. Perkins was first used as a given name in the late 19th century and has since gained some popularity in English-speaking countries. It is often associated with the surname Perkins, which is also derived from the personal name Peterkin. In literature, Perkins is perhaps best known as the last name of the protagonist in the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.
The name Perkins experienced periods of popularity and decline throughout the century, with peaks in the early 1920s and late 1940s.