Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Cheryl
GirlFrench, English· “modern, from Cherie: darling”
- Meaning
- modern, from Cherie: darling
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- SHEHR-uhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,376
- US babies 2025
- 32
- Best rank
- #13 (1958)
- Peak year
- 1958
Meaning and origin of Cheryl
Cheryl is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “modern, from Cherie: darling”.
Cheryl appears to be a twentieth-century English creation, formed from Cherie, French for darling, with the -yl ending familiar from Beryl. It took hold in the United States and became a staple for girls born around the middle of the century, which is why it reads as a mid-century classic today. Pronunciations differ: SHEHR-uhl is most common, while CHEHR-uhl is also heard. Sheryl and Sherrill are alternate spellings of the same name. Parents drawn to names from that era now look at Cheryl in the same light as Linda or Carol, and Cher makes a sleek short form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Sheryl, Sherrell.
Popularity over time
Cheryl first appears in US Social Security records in 1909. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 66 different years, starting in 1931. Its best national rank was #13 in 1958, the same year it reached its highest count of 24,119 babies. In 2025, 32 babies were named Cheryl, and it ranked #4,376 nationally. That is 43% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,614 in 1920, #29 in 1950, #119 in 1980, #1,449 in 2000, #2,390 in 2010, and #4,376 in 2025. Of the 439,539 US girls named Cheryl since records began, 39% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 135,650 babies. Since 2010, 835 more have been named Cheryl.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kathy, Brenda, Cindy, Debbie, and Julie.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Cheryl is usually pronounced SHEHR-uhl, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-yl”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Sheryl and Sherrell.
Middle names for Cheryl
A few middle names that flow with Cheryl: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cheryl
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Lists that include Cheryl
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cheryl mean?
Cheryl is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “modern, from Cherie: darling”.
What is the origin of the name Cheryl?
Cheryl has French and English roots. Cheryl appears to be a twentieth-century English creation, formed from Cherie, French for darling, with the -yl ending familiar from Beryl.
Is Cheryl a popular name?
Not especially. Cheryl ranked #4,376 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cheryl a boy or girl name?
Cheryl is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Cheryl?
Cheryl is usually pronounced SHEHR-uhl. 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