Beryl Unisex

Popularity: #940 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BER-il //ˈbɛr.ɪl//

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: English: precious stone; Greek: sea-green

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Beryl has its roots in the ancient Greek word "berullos," which referred to a precious stone known for its clarity and color. This term was derived from the earlier Semitic word "bārāḳ," meaning "to shine," reflecting the gemstone's luminous qualities.

The name made its way into Latin as "beryllus" and subsequently into Old French before being adopted into English in the Middle Ages, where it became associated with the gemstone itself, often used in jewelry and decorative arts. Historically, Beryl has been linked to various cultural and religious contexts.

In the Bible, the Book of Exodus mentions beryl as one of the stones in the breastplate of the High Priest, symbolizing beauty and divine favor. This biblical association helped to elevate the name's significance in Christian contexts, particularly during the medieval period when names derived from gemstones were often favored for their connotations of purity and value.

The name was also borne by several saints, contributing to its religious resonance. Throughout the centuries, Beryl has been associated with various symbolic meanings, including protection and healing, which were attributed to the gemstone itself.

In the realm of literature and art, Beryl has appeared in various works, often symbolizing clarity and truth. The name's enduring appeal can also be seen in its diminutive form, "Berry," which has been used affectionately in various cultures.

Overall, Beryl encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance, making it a name steeped in tradition.

Famous people named Beryl

In this section, you will find notable people named Beryl. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Beryl who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Beryl who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Beryl Bainbridge is an author best known for The Dressmaker, An Awfully Big Adventure, and Master Georgie.

Beryl Markham is an aviator and author best known for West with the Night, and being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west.

Beryl Reid is an actress best known for The Killing of Sister George, The Whisperers, and her role in the television series The Beryl Reid Show.

Fictional characters named Beryl

The following list of fictional characters named Beryl is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Beryl is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Sailor Moon. She is a powerful antagonist known for her ambition to obtain the Silver Crystal and her rivalry with the Sailor Guardians.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Beryl, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

PearlOpalRubySapphireJadeAmber

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Beryl. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MerylCerylDerylGerylKerylTerilVeril

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Beryl was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Beryl has ranked as high as #627 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, California, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Beryl has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Beryl is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Beryl was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Beryl.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 8 0 8
2024 8 0 8
2023 9 0 9
2022 9 0 9
2020 9 0 9
2019 8 0 8
2018 9 0 9
2017 14 0 14
2016 9 0 9
2015 9 0 9
2014 14 0 14
2013 10 0 10
2012 12 0 12
2010 10 0 10
2008 5 0 5
2007 7 0 7
2005 9 0 9
2004 7 0 7
2003 7 0 7
2000 11 0 11
1999 7 0 7
1997 6 0 6
1996 8 0 8
1995 12 0 12
1994 13 0 13
1993 9 0 9
1992 12 0 12
1991 11 0 11
1990 13 0 13
1989 19 5 14
1987 18 0 18
1986 9 0 9
1985 7 0 7
1984 15 0 15
1983 12 5 7
1982 13 0 13
1981 20 6 14
1980 8 0 8
1979 13 7 6
1978 9 0 9
1977 8 0 8
1976 13 0 13
1975 10 0 10
1974 13 0 13
1973 16 5 11
1972 17 0 17
1971 20 8 12
1970 15 5 10
1969 26 12 14
1968 27 10 17
1967 40 12 28
1966 38 9 29
1965 43 9 34
1964 73 10 63
1963 69 12 57
1962 69 16 53
1961 73 15 58
1960 77 14 63
1959 97 15 82
1958 91 15 76
1957 138 13 125
1956 119 13 106
1955 124 13 111
1954 115 7 108
1953 129 23 106
1952 136 17 119
1951 172 22 150
1950 173 28 145
1949 175 30 145
1948 204 35 169
1947 180 25 155
1946 134 28 106
1945 131 31 100
1944 159 47 112
1943 148 32 116
1942 146 30 116
1941 149 45 104
1940 162 32 130
1939 155 33 122
1938 155 33 122
1937 169 41 128
1936 175 37 138
1935 159 42 117
1934 204 58 146
1933 228 67 161
1932 261 63 198
1931 296 67 229
1930 251 54 197
1929 237 57 180
1928 258 51 207
1927 292 69 223
1926 276 48 228
1925 256 56 200
1924 296 77 219
1923 286 69 217
1922 294 61 233
1921 302 64 238
1920 379 68 311
1919 312 78 234
1918 337 69 268
1917 277 60 217
1916 271 58 213
1915 286 75 211
1914 221 41 180
1913 174 25 149
1912 197 48 149
1911 108 14 94
1910 99 8 91
1909 77 7 70
1908 97 9 88
1907 81 7 74
1906 82 12 70
1905 87 9 78
1904 80 7 73
1903 57 0 57
1902 67 8 59
1901 59 0 59
1900 59 0 59
1899 39 0 39
1898 51 5 46
1897 37 0 37
1896 45 0 45
1895 40 0 40
1894 34 5 29
1893 39 6 33
1892 43 6 37
1891 36 0 36
1890 37 5 32
1889 37 0 37
1888 19 0 19
1887 27 0 27
1886 16 0 16
1885 12 0 12
1884 14 0 14
1883 8 0 8
1882 11 0 11
1881 8 0 8
1880 11 0 11

Top States for Beryl (2015)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 6
100%