Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Beryl
GirlEnglish, Greek· “a pale green gemstone”
- Meaning
- a pale green gemstone
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- BEH-ruhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #11,101
- US babies 2025
- 8
- Best rank
- #374 (1920)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Beryl
Beryl is an English and Greek name that means “a pale green gemstone”.
Beryl is the name of a gemstone, from the Greek beryllos, probably borrowed from an Indian language. Emerald and aquamarine are both varieties of beryl, and the stone is usually pale green or blue. Beryl became a girl's name in England in the late nineteenth century, when gemstone names such as Ruby and Opal were fashionable. It is said BEH-ruhl. Beryl has a vintage British feel. The aviator Beryl Markham, the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic from east to west, is a well-known bearer.
Popularity over time
Beryl has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 78 different years. Its best national rank was #374 in 1920, the same year it reached its highest count of 311 babies. In 2025, 8 babies were named Beryl, and it ranked #11,101 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #374 in 1920, #710 in 1950, #7,483 in 1980, #8,634 in 2000, #10,553 in 2010, and #11,101 in 2025. Of the 10,130 US girls named Beryl since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 1,806 babies. Since 2010, 138 more have been named Beryl.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lelia, Marietta, Dortha, Marjory, and Reva.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Beryl is usually pronounced BEH-ruhl, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-yl”.
Middle names for Beryl
A few middle names that flow with Beryl: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Beryl
Similar names
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KRIHS-tuhl
“crystal, ice” · Greek
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SIH-buhl
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ROO-bee
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Jewel Girl
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Georgie Girl
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Margret Girl
MAHR-greht
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Cheryl Girl
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Christen Unisex
KRIHS-uhn
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Dolly Girl
DAH-lee
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Rubie Girl
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Calie Girl
KA-lee
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Kitty Girl
KIH-tee
“pet form of Katherine” · English
rare
Lists that include Beryl
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Beryl mean?
Beryl is an English and Greek name that means “a pale green gemstone”.
What is the origin of the name Beryl?
Beryl has English and Greek roots. Beryl is the name of a gemstone, from the Greek beryllos, probably borrowed from an Indian language.
Is Beryl a popular name?
Not especially. Beryl ranked #11,101 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Beryl a boy or girl name?
Beryl is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Beryl?
Beryl is usually pronounced BEH-ruhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings