Berl
Berl is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Bear, or son of a bear.
Origin and history
Berl is a classic Yiddish name derived from the Germanic root for bear. Historically common in Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe, it was often used as a vernacular equivalent (kinnui) for the Hebrew name Dov. Though rare in contemporary U.S. usage, it remains in continuous, steady use.
Popularity in the United States
1,089 babies in the United States have been named Berl since 1880. It ranks #3598 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1825.
States where it is most popular
- NY (93.1 %)
- IL (2.3 %)
- IN (2.3 %)
- OK (2.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 124 |
| 1920-1930 | 215 |
| 1930-1940 | 149 |
| 1940-1950 | 122 |
| 1950-1960 | 94 |
| 1960-1970 | 41 |
| 1970-1980 | 6 |
| 1980-1990 | 21 |
| 1990-2000 | 21 |
| 2000-2010 | 51 |
| 2010-2019 | 143 |
| 2020-2029 | 102 |
Famous people named Berl
- Berl Lazar: Rabbi
- Berl Ives: Actor, Singer
Fun facts
- Berl traditionally serves as the Yiddish equivalent to the Hebrew name Dov, both referring to a bear.
- It originally evolved as a Yiddish diminutive form of the Germanic name Bernhard.