Pearl
Pearl is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Pearl (precious gemstone formed inside a mollusk).
Origin and history
Pearl is an English gemstone name derived from the Old French word 'perle' and ultimately Latin 'perna'. It became popular as a given name in the late 19th century alongside other jewel names. In the United States, it was a top-100 name around the turn of the 20th century and remains a classic vintage option today.
Popularity in the United States
159,088 babies in the United States have been named Pearl since 1880. It ranks #252 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #743.
States where it is most popular
- NY (10.7 %)
- PA (8.2 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
- CA (4.5 %)
- TX (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10,903 |
| 1890-1900 | 19,054 |
| 1900-1910 | 20,913 |
| 1910-1920 | 33,834 |
| 1920-1930 | 32,774 |
| 1930-1940 | 13,295 |
| 1940-1950 | 7,778 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,757 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,594 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,471 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,639 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,508 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,238 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,160 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,170 |
Famous people named Pearl
- Pearl S. Buck: Author, Novelist
- Pearl Bailey: Singer, Actress
- Pearl Mackie: Actress
Fun facts
- Pearl gained widespread popularity in the late 1800s as part of the Victorian trend of using gemstones and flowers for girls' names.
- Pearl is traditionally recognized as the primary birthstone for the month of June.