Perl Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PURL /pɜrl/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'pearl'; English: 'precious gem'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Perl is derived from the Latin word "perla," which means "pearl." This Latin term has its roots in the earlier Greek word "margaritēs," which also translates to "pearl." The transition from Greek to Latin occurred during the Roman Empire, where the term was adopted into various languages, including Old French as "perle." The name Perl entered the English language through these linguistic channels, particularly during the medieval period when pearls were highly valued for their beauty and rarity, symbolizing purity and elegance. Historically, pearls have been associated with various cultural and religious significances.
In Christianity, for instance, pearls are mentioned in the Bible, notably in the parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46), which reflects the value of the Kingdom of Heaven. This biblical reference, along with the use of pearls in royal adornments throughout the Middle Ages, contributed to the name's resonance in Christian contexts.
The name Perl, while not commonly used as a given name in historical records, evokes the imagery and symbolism associated with pearls, such as beauty, wisdom, and the idea of something precious. In addition to its biblical connections, the name Perl has been embraced in various cultures, often reflecting a sense of delicacy and refinement.
The association of pearls with femininity and grace has allowed the name to endure in various forms. In some cultures, diminutive forms or variations of the name, such as Perla, have emerged, further enriching its cultural tapestry.
Overall, the name Perl encapsulates a rich historical and linguistic journey, embodying the enduring allure of its namesake.
Famous people named Perl
In this section, you will find notable people named Perl. 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 Perl who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Perl 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.
Perl is a programming language best known for CGI scripting, text processing, and system administration.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Perl, 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 Perl. 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 Perl was first seen in the United States in 1883.
Perl has ranked as high as #7168 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Perl has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Perl 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 Perl 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 Perl.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 2024 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2023 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| 2022 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2021 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 2020 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 2019 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2018 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2017 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 2016 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 2015 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 2014 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2013 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2012 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2011 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2010 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2009 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 2008 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2007 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2006 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2005 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2004 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2003 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2002 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2001 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2000 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1998 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1996 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1994 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1992 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1988 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1981 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1978 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1977 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1967 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1931 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1930 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1929 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1924 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1923 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1920 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1918 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1917 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1916 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1915 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1913 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1892 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1887 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1883 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Perl (2023)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 29 |