Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Pearl
GirlEnglish, Latin· “pearl”
- Meaning
- pearl
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- PURL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #777
- US babies 2025
- 350
- Best rank
- #24 (1889)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Pearl
Pearl is an English and Latin name that means “pearl”.
Pearl is an English word name for the gem formed inside oysters and mussels. The word comes through Old French from a Latin source. Pearl was popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Pearl is Hester Prynne's spirited daughter. The name feels vintage, elegant and gentle. It is enjoying a revival as parents look for classic gem names. Pearlie is an affectionate nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Pearle, Perl, Perle.
Popularity over time
Pearl 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 122 different years. Its best national rank was #24 in 1889, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 4,521 were named Pearl. In 2025, 350 babies were named Pearl, and it ranked #777 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #62 in 1920, #320 in 1950, #901 in 1980, #1,047 in 2000, #961 in 2010, and #777 in 2025. Of the 159,088 US girls named Pearl since records began, 21% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 32,774 babies. Since 2010, 6,330 more have been named Pearl.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Eva, Ida, Viola, Myrtle, and Nellie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Pearl ranked highest in New York, Idaho, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #299 | 57 |
| Idaho | #302 | 8 |
| New Jersey | #464 | 17 |
| Oregon | #532 | 7 |
| Wisconsin | #555 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Pearl is usually pronounced PURL, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-rl”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Pearle, Perl, and Perle.
Middle names for Pearl
A few middle names that flow with Pearl: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Pearl
Similar names
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Lists that include Pearl
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pearl mean?
Pearl is an English and Latin name that means “pearl”.
What is the origin of the name Pearl?
Pearl has English and Latin roots. Pearl is an English word name for the gem formed inside oysters and mussels.
Is Pearl a popular name?
Yes. Pearl ranked #777 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Pearl a boy or girl name?
Pearl is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Pearl?
Pearl is usually pronounced PURL. 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