Cheryl Girl

Popularity: #916 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHER-uhl //ˈʃɛr.əl//

Origin: French; English

Meaning: French: darling; English: free man

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cheryl is believed to have originated in the early 20th century as a modern English name, likely derived from the combination of the name "Cherie," which is French for "darling" or "dear," and the suffix "-el," a diminutive often used in English names. The earliest recorded use of Cheryl can be traced back to the 1920s, when it began to gain popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States.

The name's etymology reflects a blend of French and English linguistic influences, showcasing the evolution of names through cultural exchange. Historically, Cheryl does not have significant references in ancient texts or notable historical figures, as it is a relatively modern creation.

However, its rise in usage can be linked to the broader trends of the 20th century, where names that evoke affection and warmth became favored among parents. The name gained further recognition through various cultural mediums, including literature and film, which helped solidify its presence in the English-speaking world.

Culturally, Cheryl has been associated with notions of charm and endearment, resonating with the qualities of kindness and affection that the root "Cherie" embodies. This connection to warmth and love has contributed to the name's appeal across generations.

Additionally, the name has seen variations and diminutive forms, such as Cher, which have also been embraced in various contexts. Overall, Cheryl represents a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the evolving nature of personal names in society.

Famous people named Cheryl

In this section, you will find notable people named Cheryl. 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 Cheryl who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cheryl 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.

Cheryl Crow is a singer-songwriter best known for All I Wanna Do, Soak Up the Sun, and If It Makes You Happy.

Cheryl Ladd is an actress best known for Charlie's Angels, The Mistle-Tones, and Poison Ivy.

Cheryl Tiegs is a model and actress best known for her work with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, The Big Bounce, and as a spokesperson for CoverGirl.

Cheryl Hines is an actress and director best known for Curb Your Enthusiasm, RV, and Waitress.

Cheryl Miller is a former professional basketball player best known for her achievements in women's basketball and coaching.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs is a film industry executive best known for her role as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Fictional characters named Cheryl

The following list of fictional characters named Cheryl 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.

Cheryl Blossom is a fictional character from the comic book series Archie Comics. She is a wealthy and confident teenager known for her fiery personality and complex relationships with other characters.

Sibling suggestions

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

CynthiaCharlotteCassandraCarmenCeciliaCaitlin

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cheryl. 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.

SharonShellyCherieCarlaChloeCynthiaCharityCarmenCelia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cheryl was first seen in the United States in 1909.

Cheryl has ranked as high as #34 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cheryl 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 Cheryl 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 Cheryl.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 32 0 32
2024 37 0 37
2023 31 0 31
2022 44 0 44
2021 49 0 49
2020 30 0 30
2019 41 0 41
2018 57 0 57
2017 56 0 56
2016 73 0 73
2015 56 0 56
2014 58 0 58
2013 55 0 55
2012 72 0 72
2011 65 0 65
2010 79 0 79
2009 64 0 64
2008 91 0 91
2007 86 0 86
2006 87 0 87
2005 103 0 103
2004 116 0 116
2003 115 0 115
2002 104 0 104
2001 143 0 143
2000 127 0 127
1999 173 0 173
1998 165 0 165
1997 198 0 198
1996 250 0 250
1995 255 0 255
1994 307 0 307
1993 374 0 374
1992 441 0 441
1991 539 0 539
1990 622 7 615
1989 731 0 731
1988 889 0 889
1987 964 5 959
1986 1,039 8 1,031
1985 1,232 8 1,224
1984 1,329 6 1,323
1983 1,562 0 1,562
1982 1,881 6 1,875
1981 2,121 5 2,116
1980 2,616 7 2,609
1979 3,216 6 3,210
1978 3,175 8 3,167
1977 2,128 7 2,121
1976 2,498 9 2,489
1975 3,010 13 2,997
1974 3,513 17 3,496
1973 4,026 16 4,010
1972 5,163 27 5,136
1971 6,339 12 6,327
1970 7,464 24 7,440
1969 8,366 20 8,346
1968 9,166 28 9,138
1967 10,796 29 10,767
1966 11,738 25 11,713
1965 12,584 34 12,550
1964 14,124 43 14,081
1963 15,084 37 15,047
1962 16,632 45 16,587
1961 18,343 42 18,301
1960 19,168 48 19,120
1959 20,987 40 20,947
1958 24,178 59 24,119
1957 22,684 41 22,643
1956 21,303 25 21,278
1955 19,143 32 19,111
1954 15,041 26 15,015
1953 12,283 19 12,264
1952 12,218 17 12,201
1951 12,005 19 11,986
1950 11,837 14 11,823
1949 12,024 17 12,007
1948 13,240 20 13,220
1947 13,911 21 13,890
1946 11,549 23 11,526
1945 8,169 20 8,149
1944 7,994 22 7,972
1943 2,894 16 2,878
1942 591 0 591
1941 442 0 442
1940 284 0 284
1939 294 5 289
1938 397 0 397
1937 145 0 145
1936 94 0 94
1935 99 0 99
1934 76 0 76
1933 60 0 60
1932 49 0 49
1931 49 0 49
1930 42 0 42
1929 44 0 44
1928 46 0 46
1927 32 0 32
1926 26 0 26
1925 21 0 21
1924 22 0 22
1923 28 0 28
1922 18 0 18
1921 18 0 18
1920 13 0 13
1919 12 0 12
1918 16 0 16
1917 22 0 22
1916 8 0 8
1914 7 0 7
1912 5 0 5
1909 5 0 5

Top States for Cheryl (2024)

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
TX 7
100%