Pearl Unisex
Origin(s)
Pronunciationpurl / /pɜrl/English; Latin
Meaning
English: precious gem; Latin: pearl
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Pearl has been used since the 19th century, often associated with the precious gemstone. Pearls have historically symbolized purity and innocence, making the name popular for girls and occasionally for boys. In literature and art, pearls have often been depicted as symbols of beauty and wealth.
Trend Summary
The name Pearl has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable decline in usage since the early 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
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International Variants
- Perla (Spanish)
- Perle (French)
- Pérola (Portuguese)
Famous people named Pearl
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Fictional characters named Pearl
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Pearl was first seen in the United States in 1880. Pearl has ranked as high as #772 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Pearl has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Pearl (1967)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 62 |
| 1881 | 52 |
| 1882 | 58 |
| 1883 | 57 |
| 1884 | 62 |
| 1885 | 57 |
| 1886 | 73 |
| 1887 | 64 |
| 1888 | 69 |
| 1889 | 50 |
| 1890 | 48 |
| 1891 | 31 |
| 1892 | 39 |
| 1893 | 62 |
| 1894 | 55 |
| 1895 | 45 |
| 1896 | 37 |
| 1897 | 44 |
| 1898 | 39 |
| 1899 | 29 |
| 1900 | 41 |
| 1901 | 38 |
| 1902 | 35 |
| 1903 | 36 |
| 1904 | 30 |
| 1905 | 29 |
| 1906 | 34 |
| 1907 | 37 |
| 1908 | 36 |
| 1909 | 41 |
| 1910 | 23 |
| 1911 | 33 |
| 1912 | 53 |
| 1913 | 70 |
| 1914 | 57 |
| 1915 | 97 |
| 1916 | 70 |
| 1917 | 84 |
| 1918 | 101 |
| 1919 | 98 |
| 1920 | 91 |
| 1921 | 86 |
| 1922 | 78 |
| 1923 | 83 |
| 1924 | 85 |
| 1925 | 68 |
| 1926 | 71 |
| 1927 | 80 |
| 1928 | 81 |
| 1929 | 73 |
| 1930 | 67 |
| 1931 | 65 |
| 1932 | 45 |
| 1933 | 50 |
| 1934 | 38 |
| 1935 | 53 |
| 1936 | 40 |
| 1937 | 45 |
| 1938 | 44 |
| 1939 | 50 |
| 1940 | 29 |
| 1941 | 20 |
| 1942 | 42 |
| 1943 | 43 |
| 1944 | 29 |
| 1945 | 27 |
| 1946 | 22 |
| 1947 | 31 |
| 1948 | 19 |
| 1949 | 20 |
| 1950 | 18 |
| 1951 | 10 |
| 1952 | 12 |
| 1953 | 17 |
| 1954 | 16 |
| 1955 | 27 |
| 1956 | 16 |
| 1957 | 18 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1961 | 10 |
| 1963 | 7 |
| 1964 | 10 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1966 | 12 |
| 1967 | 9 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1971 | 9 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1973 | 6 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1977 | 7 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 |