Fun Facts About the Name Perl
- 700 babies named Perl: U.S. records list 700 babies given the name Perl from 1880 through 2025. Even 85 boys received the name Perl - about 1 boy for every 7 girls.
What Does the Name Perl Mean?
Perl is a variant spelling of Pearl, a feminine name meaning "pearl," the gemstone formed inside certain mollusks. The name comes from the English noun pearl, which was borrowed from Old French perle, from Medieval Latin perla. The deeper origin of perla is not settled; a commonly repeated explanation traces it to Latin perna, "leg" or "ham," said to describe the shape of a pearl oyster's shell, but this is only one proposed derivation. Separately, Perl (פּערל) is a Yiddish feminine name that is simply the Yiddish word for "pearl," coming through German Perle from the same Latin source. In Jewish use, Perl was often a vernacular name paired with the Hebrew name Margalit, which also means "pearl."
Perl Name History & Origins
The word pearl is recorded in English from the medieval period, taken from Old French perle. As an English given name, Pearl was used only occasionally before the 19th century, when names drawn from gemstones and other decorative objects - Ruby, Opal, Beryl, Pearl - became fashionable for girls. The shorter spelling Perl is a variant of that name rather than a distinct name with its own separate etymology.
Independently, Perl is a Yiddish feminine name, the ordinary Yiddish noun for "pearl" and a close relative of German Perle. It was common in Central and Eastern European Jewish communities, where it frequently served as the everyday name accompanying the Hebrew name Margalit, "pearl." Families who emigrated to English-speaking countries sometimes kept the spelling Perl and sometimes adopted Pearl. Perl is also a German and Jewish surname, so in older records the given name and the surname can be difficult to tell apart.
How Popular is the Name Perl?
Perl has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2023. Its best rank was #1,011 in 1883.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #4,436 | 32 | 0.0020% |
| 2024 | #5,549 | 23 | 0.0014% |
| 2023 | #4,168 | 35 | 0.0022% |
| 2022 | #4,762 | 29 | 0.0018% |
| 2021 | #5,202 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 2020 | #5,802 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2019 | #5,415 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2018 | #5,421 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2017 | #5,298 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 2016 | #4,414 | 33 | 0.0019% |
| 2015 | #6,661 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 2014 | #5,751 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 2013 | #6,420 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2012 | #7,382 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2011 | #10,231 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2010 | #6,577 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2009 | #6,254 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2008 | #9,943 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2007 | #8,009 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2006 | #9,761 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2005 | #8,230 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2004 | #6,153 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2003 | #11,107 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2002 | #8,177 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 2001 | #7,233 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 2000 | #12,807 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #12,330 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #9,895 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1997 | #9,617 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #9,371 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1994 | #15,109 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #7,894 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1988 | #10,058 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1987 | #12,678 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #9,999 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #11,634 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #10,944 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1977 | #9,294 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1967 | #7,558 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1929 | #5,134 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | #4,195 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1930 | #4,418 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1924 | #3,198 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1923 | #4,139 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1920 | #3,741 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1919 | #4,647 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1918 | #3,623 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1917 | #3,473 | 7 | 0.0008% |
| 1916 | #4,348 | 5 | 0.0006% |
| 1915 | #3,319 | 7 | 0.0008% |
| 1913 | #2,442 | 7 | 0.0014% |
| 1892 | #1,211 | 5 | 0.0041% |
| 1887 | #1,032 | 5 | 0.0049% |
| 1883 | #1,011 | 5 | 0.0048% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Perl Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Perl's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Perl's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.