Holding steady.
Popularity of Birl since 1888
Babies named Birl per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Birl's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 25 |
| 1920s | 87 |
| 1930s | 45 |
| 1940s | 14 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Birl is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1888, but has not been recorded in any year since, making it a true historical oddity. With no rank in any year and virtually no modern usage, it is one of the rarest names documented by the Social Security Administration. Its peak year remains 1888, when it was likely a local or one-time occurrence. The name's origin is obscure, but it bears similarities to the more common Burl, which also saw limited use in the late 19th century. Parents drawn to extremely unusual and historically grounded names may find Birl intriguing, but its lack of established usage or meaning makes it a highly unconventional choice.
The name Birl is rare and of uncertain etymology. It may derive from the Middle English verb 'birlen' (to drink or carouse), which could have been used as a nickname. Alternatively, it could be a variant spelling of Burl, itself a short form of names like Burleigh or a nickname from the tree knot. Due to its extreme rarity, its exact origin is unclear.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Burl
Sibling names for Birl
Names that share Birl's style, for a brother or sister.
