Where does the name Pearl come from?

Pearl is a girl name of Latin origin.

Is Pearl a boy or a girl name?

Pearl is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 98% of children given the name Pearl are girls and 2% are boys.

How popular is the name Pearl in 2023?

Pearl ranks #800 for girls in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1918 with 4,622 babies.

How do you pronounce Pearl?

Pearl is pronounced PURL (1 syllable).

What are common spellings of Pearl?

Pearl is also written as Perla, Perle, Pearlie.

A name from Latin · Girl

Pearl

From the English word for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin perla. Used as a given name in Victorian times when nature names were fashionable; revived as a vintage choice in the 21st century.

Compare

Popularity over time

A 143-year arc in numbers.

158,387 U.S. births recorded from 1880–2023.

Popularity · 1880–2023

351 births in 2023

1880 1951 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

PFrom the English word for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin perla. Used as a given name in Victorian times when nature names were fashionable; revived as a vintage choice in the 21st century.

Variants & spellings

3 ways to spell "Pearl".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Perla Most common Perle Pearlie

Famous bearers

People who carry the name Pearl.

P
Pearl S. Buck (Nobel-laureate novelist)
P
Pearl Bailey (singer and actress)
P
Pearl Jam (rock band; eponymous)

Quick answers

People often ask about Pearl.

What does the name Pearl mean?: Pearl means from the English word for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin perla. Used as a given name in Victorian times when nature names were fashionable; revived as a vintage choice in the 21st century.
Where does the name Pearl come from?: Pearl is a girl name of Latin origin.
Is Pearl a boy or a girl name?: Pearl is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 98% of children given the name Pearl are girls and 2% are boys.
How popular is the name Pearl in 2023?: Pearl ranks #800 for girls in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 1918 with 4,622 babies.
How do you pronounce Pearl?: Pearl is pronounced PURL (1 syllable).
What are common spellings of Pearl?: Pearl is also written as Perla, Perle, Pearlie.

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About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meanings and origins are curated from etymological sources. If you spot an error, please let us know.