Pernell
Pernell is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Little Peter; stone or rock.
Origin and history
Pernell is an English given name derived from a medieval surname, which itself originated as a contraction of the Latin name Petronilla. Historically associated with early Christian history via Saint Petronilla, it evolved into an English surname before being adopted as a masculine given name. In the United States, Pernell has been a moderately rare choice, seeing steady but modest usage throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Popularity in the United States
3,037 babies in the United States have been named Pernell since 1880. It ranks #2344 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1897.
States where it is most popular
- VA (16.7 %)
- LA (16.6 %)
- NY (14.3 %)
- FL (12 %)
- NC (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 48 |
| 1920-1930 | 96 |
| 1930-1940 | 118 |
| 1940-1950 | 149 |
| 1950-1960 | 176 |
| 1960-1970 | 945 |
| 1970-1980 | 464 |
| 1980-1990 | 439 |
| 1990-2000 | 292 |
| 2000-2010 | 169 |
| 2010-2019 | 111 |
| 2020-2029 | 30 |
Famous people named Pernell
- Pernell Roberts: Actor, Singer
- Pernell Whitaker: Boxer
Nicknames
Nel, Perry
Fun facts
- Pernell developed as a surname in medieval England before transitioning into use as a masculine first name.
- American boxer Pernell Whitaker brought significant public visibility to the name during his Hall of Fame career.