Perlie Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PUR-lee //ˈpɜrli//
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: English: Pearl; Hebrew: A precious gem
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Perlie is believed to be a variant of the name Pearl, which has its roots in the Latin word "perla," meaning "pearl." This Latin term was derived from the earlier Greek word "margaritēs," which also translates to "pearl." The transition into English occurred through Old French, where "perle" was used, before being adopted into Middle English as "perle" or "perla." The name Pearl has been used in English-speaking cultures since the Middle Ages, often symbolizing purity and beauty, akin to the precious gemstone itself. Historically, the name Pearl gained prominence in the early 13th century, particularly in England, where it was used as both a given name and a term of endearment.
The name is notably mentioned in Geoffrey Chaucer's works during the 14th century, reflecting its cultural significance at the time. Additionally, the name Pearl appears in various biblical contexts, symbolizing wisdom and the value of virtuous living, as seen in the parable of the Pearl of Great Price in the New Testament.
This biblical reference further solidified the name's association with purity and value. Culturally, the name Pearl has resonated through literature and art, often representing beauty and rarity.
The use of the name in various literary works, including the 14th-century poem "Pearl," which explores themes of loss and redemption, highlights its enduring significance in English literature. While Perlie itself may not have the same historical weight, it can be seen as a diminutive or affectionate form that retains the symbolic associations of its root name.
The name's connection to the precious pearl continues to evoke notions of beauty and value across different cultures.
Famous people named Perlie
In this section, you will find notable people named Perlie. 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 Perlie who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Perlie 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.
Perlie L. Smith is a professional basketball player best known for playing in the NBA and the ABA.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Perlie, 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 Perlie. 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 Perlie was first seen in the United States in 1889.
Perlie has ranked as high as #2771 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in Mississippi.
In the past 5 years the name Perlie has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Perlie 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 Perlie 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 Perlie.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1956 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1949 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1948 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1947 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1946 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1945 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1944 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1943 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1942 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1941 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1940 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1939 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1938 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1937 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1936 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 1935 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 1934 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1933 | 15 | 5 | 10 |
| 1932 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1931 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1930 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1929 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 1928 | 24 | 6 | 18 |
| 1927 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1926 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1925 | 26 | 8 | 18 |
| 1924 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1923 | 19 | 6 | 13 |
| 1922 | 29 | 7 | 22 |
| 1921 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1920 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1919 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 1918 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1917 | 15 | 5 | 10 |
| 1916 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1915 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 1914 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1913 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 1912 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1911 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1910 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1909 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1908 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1905 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1904 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1903 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1900 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1898 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1896 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1894 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1892 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1891 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1889 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Perlie (1941)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| MS | 5 |