Pearl
Complete Name Analysis & Etymology Guide
162,657 Total Births
145 Years of Data
1918 Peak Popularity Year
4,622 Peak Births

Pearl Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

📋

Summary

The name Pearl originates from the Latin word 'perla', meaning precious gem. It has evolved through Old English and Middle English forms to its modern usage today. The name symbolizes beauty and rarity, with no direct biblical significance. It gained popularity in the late 19th century and remains a vintage yet elegant choice today.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Pearl"

🔤

Pronunciation

/pɜrl/

🌍

Origin

Latin

📚

Etymology

The name 'Pearl' is derived from the Latin word 'perla', which refers to the precious gem formed within the shells of certain mollusks. The association of pearls with beauty and value contributes to the name's popularity.

💭

Meaning

precious gem, beauty

🔄

Language Evolution

Old English: pearle, Middle English: perle, Modern English: Pearl

📜

Historical Usage

The name Pearl gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to its use in literature and its association with rarity and beauty.

🔄

Variants & Derivatives

Perla, Pearly

🌟

Modern Popularity & Image

Currently, the name Pearl is perceived as vintage and elegant, often associated with sophistication and a sense of timeless beauty.

👥

Famous People

Pearl S. Buck, an American author and Nobel laureate, Pearl Bailey, an American actress and singer

📊 Pearl Name Trend Analysis

➡️

Boy Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Stable
25-Year Trend: Relatively Stable
➡️

Girl Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Stable
25-Year Trend: Relatively Stable

Explore More Pearl Name Visualizations

✨ Pearl Name Meaning & Significance

📈

Popularity Trend

Highly Popular name with 4,622 peak births in 1918

🌍

Geographic Spread

Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota

Historical Span

Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends

👥

Generational Impact

Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity

🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Pearl" - Complete Guide (5 Names)

Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Pearl". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 5 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.

Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Pearl" that fits your preferences.

Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Pearl"

Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Yearly Ranking History of "Pearl"

"Pearl" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Boy 622nd of 7545 1,644
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Boy 945th of 6773 841
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Boy 2091st of 7552 284
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Boy 4771st of 10718 74
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Boy 16616th of 16616 5
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Girl 58th of 9107 80,470
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Girl 169th of 9204 22,957
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Girl 423rd of 12526 9,062
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Girl 839th of 19264 2,583
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Girl 1086th of 27321 2,514
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Girl 1047th of 35406 3,672
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Girl 693rd of 30306 5,008

Regional Popularity of "Pearl" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
32.27%
457th/1416
- 29.59%
700th/2366
-
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
40.17%
621st/1546
- 36.97%
870th/2353
-
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
50.88%
1133rd/2227
- 54.33%
1550th/2853
-
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
60.98%
1791st/2937
- 60.83%
2140th/3518
-
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
- - - -
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

Regional Popularity of "Pearl" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
5.08%
72nd/1416
4.64%
64th/1379
2.54%
60th/2366
7.09%
81st/1142
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
11.38%
176th/1546
9.38%
146th/1556
6.71%
158th/2353
12.41%
192nd/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
22.36%
498th/2227
15.64%
380th/2430
13.42%
383rd/2853
14.38%
399th/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
36.36%
1068th/2937
21.65%
754th/3483
27.80%
978th/3518
17.36%
702nd/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
46.11%
1699th/3685
18.08%
809th/4475
25.41%
1320th/5194
13.23%
836th/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
26.56%
1217th/4582
14.41%
744th/5164
21.67%
1585th/7313
11.11%
829th/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
16.09%
641st/3984
11.54%
518th/4487
14.98%
1022nd/6822
9.16%
575th/6276

State-by-State Popularity of "Pearl"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Pearl" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.

Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Pearl" in the United States

The name Pearl is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Pearl has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Pearl' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 622nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 945th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2091st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4771st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 58th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 169th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 423rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 839th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1086th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1047th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 693rd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Pearl' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Infographic: Pearl name meaning, origin, and popularity trends in the United States (US baby name analysis chart)
[600x500px image] Etymology and historical popularity of Pearl,