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Pearl Unisex

Popularity: #615 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationpurl / /pɜrl/

English; Latin

Meaning

English: precious gem; Latin: pearl

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Pearl derives from the Old French word "perle," which itself comes from the Latin "perla," and ultimately traces back to the Greek "perleus," meaning "pearl" or "precious gem." This etymological journey reflects the value placed on pearls in various cultures, symbolizing purity and beauty. The name entered the English language during the Middle Ages, a period when pearls were highly prized and often associated with nobility and wealth, thus enhancing the name's appeal as a feminine given name.

Historically, the name Pearl has been borne by notable figures, including Pearl S. Buck, an American author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. The name also appears in various literary and religious texts, most notably in the biblical context, where pearls are often used as metaphors for wisdom and virtue. For instance, in the New Testament, Jesus refers to the "pearl of great price" in the parable found in the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing the value of the Kingdom of Heaven. This biblical reference, dating back to the 1st century CE, contributed to the name's significance in Christian communities.

Culturally, pearls have been associated with various traditions and symbolism throughout history. In many cultures, they are seen as symbols of purity, innocence, and integrity, which aligns with the qualities often attributed to women. The name Pearl has also been linked to the idea of something precious and rare, further solidifying its resonance in the cultural imagination. Variants and diminutives, such as Perla in Italian and Spanish, reflect the name's adaptability across different languages and cultures, while maintaining its core associations with beauty and value.

Trend Summary

The name Pearl has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, often associated with vintage charm.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Perla

International Variants

  • Perla (Spanish)
  • Perle (French)
  • Perla (Italian)

Famous people named Pearl

Pearl S. Buck is an author best known for The Good Earth, East Wind: West Wind, and The Eternal Wonder.

Pearl Bailey is a singer and actress best known for Porgy and Bess, Hello, Dolly!, and her Grammy Award-winning albums.

Pearl Jam is a rock band best known for Ten, Vs., and Vitalogy.

Pearl Harbor is a historical event best known for the attack on December 7, 1941, and its impact on World War II.

Fictional characters named Pearl

Pearl is a fictional character from the animated television series Steven Universe. She is a member of the Crystal Gems and serves as a mentor and protector to the protagonist, Steven.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Pearl was first seen in the United States in 1880. Pearl has ranked as high as #99 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, and North Carolina. 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 (2024)

StateBirthsShare
NY 49
18%
CA 41
15%
TX 23
8%
WA 17
6%
FL 13
5%
NJ 12
4%
MN 11
4%
MA 11
4%
PA 11
4%
MO 8
3%
WI 8
3%
CO 7
3%
IL 7
3%
OH 7
3%
AZ 7
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880569
1881641
1882824
1883886
18841,138
18851,146
18861,204
18871,316
18881,591
18891,588
18901,741
18911,605
18921,831
18931,796
18941,789
18951,958
18962,101
18972,076
18982,158
18991,999
19002,512
19011,866
19022,100
19032,046
19042,015
19052,108
19062,035
19072,108
19082,075
19092,048
19102,177
19112,075
19122,528
19132,756
19143,223
19153,976
19164,073
19174,232
19184,521
19194,273
19204,204
19214,175
19223,848
19233,543
19243,635
19253,213
19262,899
19272,718
19282,367
19292,172
19302,069
19311,648
19321,618
19331,384
19341,338
19351,187
19361,120
19371,024
19381,005
1939902
1940907
1941835
19421,092
1943879
1944756
1945654
1946677
1947713
1948690
1949575
1950588
1951531
1952516
1953516
1954492
1955465
1956468
1957443
1958388
1959350
1960372
1961346
1962364
1963284
1964284
1965259
1966195
1967175
1968172
1969143
1970161
1971163
1972168
1973142
1974148
1975148
1976143
1977123
1978132
1979143
1980168
1981184
1982190
1983171
1984169
1985165
1986162
1987141
1988148
1989140
1990131
1991142
1992157
1993156
1994124
1995159
1996175
1997138
1998164
1999162
2000200
2001208
2002199
2003203
2004196
2005190
2006245
2007269
2008259
2009269
2010267
2011335
2012368
2013424
2014454
2015461
2016549
2017455
2018459
2019387
2020351
2021385
2022382
2023351
2024350