Burl Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BURL //bɜrl//
Origin: English; Scottish
Meaning: English: a burl or knot in wood; Scottish: a hill or mound
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Burl has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "burl" which means "a knot or a protuberance on a tree." This etymology suggests a connection to nature and the physical world, reflecting the name's association with strength and resilience. The term is believed to have evolved through Middle English before being adopted into modern English usage.
The name may also have connections to the Old Norse word "burlr," meaning "a man" or "a warrior," further emphasizing its masculine connotations. Historically, the name Burl has been used in various contexts, though it does not have a prominent presence in biblical or royal lineages.
It gained some recognition in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it was occasionally used as a given name. The name has been associated with figures in American folklore and literature, contributing to its cultural significance during that period.
While not extensively documented in major historical texts, its usage in the 1800s reflects a broader trend of nature-inspired names during that era. Culturally, the name Burl evokes imagery of strength and durability, akin to the sturdy knots found in trees.
This connection to nature has allowed the name to resonate with those who appreciate the outdoors and the natural world. Additionally, the diminutive form "Burly" has been used informally, suggesting a robust and hearty character.
Overall, while the name Burl may not have a long or illustrious history, its etymological roots and connections to nature provide a meaningful backdrop that has allowed it to endure in various contexts.
Famous people named Burl
In this section, you will find notable people named Burl. 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 Burl who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Burl 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.
Burl Ives is a singer and actor best known for The Big Country, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and his folk music career.
Burl Barer is an author and true crime writer best known for his books on crime and criminal psychology.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Burl, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Burl. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Burl was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Burl has ranked as high as #885 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Tennessee.
In the past 5 years the name Burl has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Burl 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 Burl 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 Burl.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2010 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2000 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1993 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1991 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1990 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1986 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1985 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1984 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1983 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1982 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1981 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1980 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1979 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1978 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1977 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1976 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1975 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1974 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1973 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1972 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1971 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 1970 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1969 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 1968 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 1967 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1966 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1965 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| 1964 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 1963 | 47 | 47 | 0 |
| 1962 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| 1961 | 52 | 52 | 0 |
| 1960 | 59 | 59 | 0 |
| 1959 | 65 | 65 | 0 |
| 1958 | 67 | 67 | 0 |
| 1957 | 71 | 71 | 0 |
| 1956 | 80 | 80 | 0 |
| 1955 | 96 | 96 | 0 |
| 1954 | 86 | 86 | 0 |
| 1953 | 90 | 90 | 0 |
| 1952 | 83 | 83 | 0 |
| 1951 | 95 | 95 | 0 |
| 1950 | 99 | 99 | 0 |
| 1949 | 81 | 81 | 0 |
| 1948 | 93 | 93 | 0 |
| 1947 | 106 | 106 | 0 |
| 1946 | 102 | 102 | 0 |
| 1945 | 84 | 84 | 0 |
| 1944 | 86 | 86 | 0 |
| 1943 | 109 | 109 | 0 |
| 1942 | 120 | 120 | 0 |
| 1941 | 100 | 100 | 0 |
| 1940 | 113 | 113 | 0 |
| 1939 | 124 | 124 | 0 |
| 1938 | 110 | 110 | 0 |
| 1937 | 127 | 127 | 0 |
| 1936 | 127 | 127 | 0 |
| 1935 | 137 | 137 | 0 |
| 1934 | 120 | 120 | 0 |
| 1933 | 113 | 113 | 0 |
| 1932 | 144 | 144 | 0 |
| 1931 | 156 | 156 | 0 |
| 1930 | 134 | 134 | 0 |
| 1929 | 141 | 135 | 6 |
| 1928 | 178 | 170 | 8 |
| 1927 | 163 | 163 | 0 |
| 1926 | 152 | 152 | 0 |
| 1925 | 150 | 150 | 0 |
| 1924 | 159 | 154 | 5 |
| 1923 | 157 | 157 | 0 |
| 1922 | 190 | 190 | 0 |
| 1921 | 211 | 211 | 0 |
| 1920 | 174 | 174 | 0 |
| 1919 | 130 | 130 | 0 |
| 1918 | 140 | 140 | 0 |
| 1917 | 130 | 130 | 0 |
| 1916 | 150 | 150 | 0 |
| 1915 | 130 | 130 | 0 |
| 1914 | 92 | 92 | 0 |
| 1913 | 86 | 86 | 0 |
| 1912 | 66 | 66 | 0 |
| 1911 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1910 | 37 | 37 | 0 |
| 1909 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1908 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1907 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1906 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1905 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1904 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1903 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1902 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1901 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1900 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1899 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1898 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1897 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1896 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1895 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1894 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1893 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1892 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1891 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1890 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1889 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1888 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1887 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1886 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1885 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1884 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1883 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1882 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1881 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1880 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
Top States for Burl (1980)
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 | 5 |