The surname Pieri is of anthroponymic origin and derives from forms related to Piero, a variant of Pietro. On this point F. De Laurentiis and E. Rossoni agree, noting that it is a surname formed from this personal name, very widespread in Italy.

E. Rossoni adds that it may originate both directly and through modified forms (diminutive or augmentative), which reflects the wide variety of derivatives arisen in the onomastic tradition. In this way, the surname represents the evolution of a personal name —linked to the Latin Petrus— into a hereditary surname.