Declining since 1985, #2,230 for boys today.
Popularity of Earl since 1880
Babies named Earl per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Earl's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 4,830 |
| 1890s | 8,297 |
| 1900s | 9,251 |
| 1910s | 40,273 |
| 1920s | 63,602 |
| 1930s | 44,613 |
| 1940s | 39,128 |
| 1950s | 32,653 |
| 1960s | 20,369 |
| 1970s | 11,404 |
| 1980s | 7,397 |
| 1990s | 3,908 |
| 2000s | 1,906 |
| 2010s | 1,104 |
| 2020s | 439 |
Meaning & origin
Earl is a name of English origin, meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior,' derived from the aristocratic title. Despite its lofty meaning, the name has a down-to-earth, vintage charm. In terms of popularity, Earl has seen a dramatic decline over the past century. Its peak year was 1894, when it was a top 100 name, but today it sits far down the charts at rank 2230 in 2025, given to only about 1 in 27,112 boys. The name's trajectory has been consistently falling since 1985, and it shows no signs of revival. In the 1890s, it was a major hit, but now it is considered an old-fashioned choice. Geographically, Earl has historically been most popular in Michigan and Texas, reflecting its broad appeal across different regions. For those who appreciate retro names with a noble edge, Earl offers a quiet dignity, though its rarity today means it will stand out as a distinctive pick.
Earl derives from the English noble title, which itself comes from the Old English word 'eorl', meaning warrior or nobleman. The title has been used in England since Anglo-Saxon times to denote a high-ranking noble, equivalent to a count in continental Europe. As a given name, Earl emerged in the 19th century as part of the Victorian fashion for using surnames and titles as first names, and it became especially popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Earl is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Early
Variants: Earle
Sibling names for Earl
Names that share Earl's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Pearl, Ruby, Mabel, Florence, Edna, Della, Essie, Eula, Gail, Gayle, Joyce, Melba, Myra, Myrtle, Norma, Velma, Adell, Alene, Allene, Alta, Ardis, Ardith, Arleen, Arlene, Arlie, Arline, Berneice, Carleen, Carrol, Caryl, Delma, Delois, Deloise, Dessie, Doretha, Dorris, Dortha, Dovie, Earlene, Earline, Florine, Floy, Gay, Glenna, Jetta, Jolene, Larue, Leatha, Lela, Leota, Lessie, Leta, Lorene, Loretha, Lorine, Lovie, Lula, Lurline, Mable, Marcene, Marilee, Marla, Marlyn, Marlys, Maybelle, Mozella, Myrna, Myrtis, Nadene, Nedra, Nelle, Norine, Oma, Ova, Pearlie, Pearline, Reta, Retha, Rheta, Rubie, Rubye, Syble, Treva, Twila, Vergie, Verla, Verlene, Vernice, Wilda, Alda, Allean, Ardyce, Arlean, Arlena, Arlyne, Berna, Carline, Carma, Charlean, Charlsie, Cleda, Cordia, Corene, Creola, Dallis, Darline, Darlyne, Delcie, Delora, Delorise, Delsie, Dorathy, Dorine, Drema, Earlean, Earleen, Eartha, Elba, Elvie, Elzie, Erie, Erlene, Erline, Estell, Etha, Florene, Floretta, France, Genell, Gladis, Glennis, Hazle, Idell, Inell, Ivery, Jeanice, Karleen, Lahoma, Lanelle, Lanette, Launa, Lavone, Lelah, Loralee, Lorean, Loyce, Luetta, Lyda, Mallie, Maybell, Minta, Myrl, Myrle, Myrtie, Naoma, Olene, Onie, Onnie, Pearle, Pearlene, Phylis, Reita, Rilla, Sharlyn, Shelba, Tennie, Velva, Veola, Verdie, Verlie, Vernita, Versie, Voncile, Willene, Zona, Aleene, Allyne, Alverda, Annell, Ardeth, Ardys, Argie, Arleene, Arlys, Beadie, Berdine, Bernadean, Bernyce, Beryle, Birdia, Blonnie, Bonna, Brooksie, Bula, Buna, Carlen, Ceil, Charlcie, Charlyne, Clarene, Cleola, Cleona, Clyda, Clydene, Clydie, Corean, Darlean, Darnella, Dartha, Deette, Dellar, Desma, Dola, Doralee, Doreatha, Dorise, Dorla, Dorlene, Dorma, Earla, Eathel, Eather, Elzora, Ethyle, Evelene, Everlean, Evlyn, Fayrene, Ferol, Floye, Gaile, Genora, Geraldean, Gladies, Glady, Glena, Hasel, Helon, Idelle, Ilean, Imagene, Ireta, Ivah, Izella, Izola, Jerlean, Jerline, Jestine, Ladean, Laretta, Lauraine, Laural, Lavergne, Leitha, Lella, Leoda, Leotha, Lesta, Loetta, Loleta, Lorain, Lorane, Lota, Lovena, Luellen, Lular, Lurene, Lurlene, Macel, Maebell, Maeola, Magaline, Marcile, Marcine, Marda, Marjie, Marlyce, Marlyne, Marvene, Maudell, Maudine, Maybel, Mayola, Mertice, Mertis, Meryle, Michelene, Murlene, Nance, Neita, Nelma, Neola, Neomia, Nobie, Omie, Onalee, Opha, Orene, Orlean, Orlena, Orlene, Parlee, Pearlean, Pearley, Perlie, Phylliss, Pluma, Rayma, Reather, Reeda, Rinda, Roena, Ruie, Sayde, Shelda, Shelvy, Sydell, Thressa, Toye, Twilla, Ura, Vadie, Veatrice, Venna, Verlean, Verlee, Verma, Vietta, Virgene, Vola, Wanza, Willamae, Willine, Willodean, Wynelle, Yola, Aldene, Alean, Alliene, Arkie, Arlethia, Arretta, Avanell, Berdell, Caretha, Carilyn, Carle, Carlyne, Caryle, Charleene, Clariece, Clarine, Clela, Cliffie, Clorine, Clotee, Connee, Cybil, Darleene, Delcia, Dellia, Detta, Doraine, Dorthie, Duchess, Earlyne, Ednamae, Elcie, Ellon, Emagene, Ercel, Ercell, Esley, Estelene, Evamae, Everlene, Exa, Flordia, Floriene, Floyce, Gailya, Gearldean, Gearline, Gerlene, Gladine, Gladyce, Gola, Guyla, Hazeline, Icie, Idamae, Inetta, Ioma, Iretta, Jearlean, Jearlene, Jearline, Jeweline, Jilda, Jolean, Joyice, Junell, Ladene, Lafern, Lattie, Lether, Linder, Linn, Loeta, Lourine, Lovelle, Luceal, Lucill, Ludell, Lutisha, Maedell, Mardee, Marliss, Marvina, Maydell, Mayetta, Mazell, Mazelle, Melvenia, Melvine, Merdis, Merlie, Modean, Modell, Modene, Monda, Morine, Myrlene, Natha, Necie, Netha, Nicie, Norlene, Odeal, Odella, Okie, Okla, Oletta, Opel, Ople, Pairlee, Pearlee, Pearlena, Pernie, Reida, Roselene, Roylene, Rudene, Rushie, Sandria, Sherl, Sherma, Tangy, Verdella, Verdelle, Veria, Vernadine, Verniece, Wandalee, Wilmoth, Wreatha, Wretha, Wylene, Arliene, Avonne, Berlene, Cloria, Clytee, Dama, Earlee, Earlena, Estalene, Gennell, Harlean, Oza, Rubena, Runell, Shirline, Alleyne, Ardel, Arelene, Arleatha, Arlyss, Arthella, Asalee, Athelene, Berda, Bonnetta, Cele, Cenia, Charl, Charlestine, Clarece, Clessie, Cleva, Clorene, Countess, Creta, Darlette, Darlinda, Darlys, Deloyce, Dorleen, Dorlis, Dovey, Dula, Dulcy, Earma, Earsie, Eddis, Ercie, Erleen, Ermalee, Ermel, Ermie, Ettamae, Eudell, Eulamae, Eulla, Eunie, Eupha, Ezelle, Ezma, Fayne, Floree, Foye, Francile, Gayna, Geneal, Genette, Gladie, Gladiola, Glendine, Goldye, Guynell, Ilamae, Iness, Inetha, Inice, Irlene, Ivalene, Juanette, Kathlee, Laberta, Ladelle, Lafaye, Laruth, Lealer, Lenis, Leotta, Linnell, Loanne, Loella, Lonnette, Loral, Lounell, Luceil, Ludean, Ludella, Lulamae, Lurie, Lurleen, Mardene, Marlean, Marthella, Marvalene, Mava, Mayre, Mayrene, Maysel, Merleen, Mertha, Minetta, Mliss, Murdis, Murline, Myrel, Oleda, Orean, Orine, Orra, Ortha, Pearlina, Perle, Quida, Ranie, Rebie, Recie, Rexine, Ritha, Rosezella, Rubylee, Rudean, Ruthella, Scharlene, Searcy, Shelbia, Shirle, Shirlena, Shriley, Suda, Sybol, Therma, Tressia, Twylah, Unice, Vaunda, Vear, Verble, Vergene, Verleen, Verlinda, Versia, Vetta, Virtie, Waneda, Wavie, Waynetta, Wilene, Willeen
Brothers: Roy, Lloyd, Floyd, Ralph, Harold, Clarence, Clifford, Clifton, Dale, Gene, Guy, Harvey, Irvin, Laverne, Lee, Leland, Leroy, Roger, Roscoe, Willard, Willie, Arlen, Art, Audie, Burl, Burnell, Burt, Burton, Carroll, Chauncey, Chet, Claud, Coy, Dell, Delmar, Dewitt, Duke, Elbert, Elden, Eldon, Ellsworth, Elwood, Evon, Felton, Garland, Gaylord, Gilmer, Gus, Hank, Haywood, Hoyt, Irving, Irwin, Jere, Judson, Laroy, Lavern, Linwood, Loyd, Lue, Macarthur, Marlan, Marland, Mearl, Merle, Monte, Murrell, Odell, Odis, Orval, Otha, Ozie, Prince, Rance, Rayford, Raymon, Rolland, Rollin, Russ, Sheldon, Talmadge, Therman, Thurman, Van, Vern, Verne, Vernell, Walt, Weldon, Wilford, Willis, Alvie, Ansel, Arch, Ardell, Arlan, Arlin, Arlis, Arliss, Arlon, Bernell, Boyce, Burrell, Clem, Cleve, Cloyd, Colon, Cord, Delmas, Delroy, Demaris, Derald, Deward, Dillard, Dorman, Earlie, Edsel, Estill, Ewell, Faron, Ferrell, Foy, Furman, Gaines, Garner, Garold, Glenwood, Hardin, Harland, Harlen, Harrell, Herb, Heyward, Kemp, Lamon, Landis, Leamon, Leeroy, Len, Lennis, Levern, Leverne, Lew, Loy, Macon, Manley, Maury, Merl, Merrell, Merwin, Minor, Monta, Murl, Murry, Newell, Oral, Orland, Ottis, Parnell, Prentice, Randle, Rayburn, Reginal, Reno, Rosco, Verl, Verle, Verlon, Verlyn, Vernal, Wardell, Wayland, Wayman, Waymon, Wendel, Windell, Winton, Woodie, Worth, Wyman, Alf, Arbie, Arnel, Ballard, Beauford, Boss, Buel, Buell, Buren, Burlin, Burtis, Byrd, Byrl, Captain, Carlon, Carrel, Carvel, Chancy, Clarnce, Clearnce, Cleave, Clell, Clide, Cline, Corda, Curlee, Dail, Dal, Darrold, Dearl, Delmon, Denson, Dickson, Dodge, Donis, Dow, Doy, Doyce, Duard, Earley, Erby, Erle, Ermal, Erman, Erven, Estil, Estle, Eual, Euel, Euell, Fremont, French, Gaither, Garlan, Garlin, Gleen, Glendale, Glendell, Glenford, Guilford, Handy, Harrel, Haskel, Hassel, Haynes, Hoke, Hoy, Hoyle, Hue, Ingram, Irby, Jarold, Jb, Jearl, Jud, Kern, Lang, Lanier, Larence, Lavere, Lendell, Lendon, Lenn, Lillard, Loney, Lord, Loyde, Loye, Lum, Lysle, Manson, Marshel, Medford, Melburn, Merril, Mont, Morrell, Murel, Murle, Murrel, Oddie, Odus, Ogden, Orange, Orman, Orren, Oval, Overton, Pershing, Pervis, Ples, Pryor, Purvis, Raiford, Raynold, Real, Revis, Rodell, Royden, Rozell, Sewell, Standley, Stanly, Thurlow, Troyce, Udell, Vearl, Veryl, Vestal, Waddell, Woodford, Zell, Atwood, Autry, Belford, Beuford, Birl, Birt, Blease, Borden, Bueford, Burk, Burleigh, Burley, Burrel, Bynum, Clent, Clete, Clif, Cliford, Czar, Darald, Darroll, Denney, Deral, Deroy, Derril, Doral, Dorn, Dorse, Doyl, Duglas, Duward, Dyke, Ebb, Elmus, Elzy, Ersel, Ervie, Esco, Eural, Fermon, Filmore, Freeland, Freemon, Gareld, Garnie, Gearl, Glenard, Granvil, Hamp, Hargis, Harles, Harlis, Hartwell, Harwood, Hassell, Hearl, Hillman, Holman, Huel, Hurman, Hyland, Irl, Jep, Julis, Kenwood, Larnce, Layman, Laymon, Lealand, Lealon, Ledford, Leeman, Leory, Less, Letcher, Lindel, Loel, Loman, Loras, Loys, Lymon, Lyndel, Lynnwood, Mancel, Mardell, Marnell, Melvern, Merrel, Milledge, Morse, Murlin, Murvin, Normon, Norval, Odel, Okey, Ordell, Orley, Purnell, Rahn, Rawleigh, Redell, Robley, Rolin, Rollan, Rollen, Ruble, Shermon, Theone, Thurl, Thurmond, Tilton, Varnell, Verdon, Vermon, Vernel, Virl, Vondell, Warden, Wendal, Wilborn, Williard, Windel, Wirt, Woodard, Wyndell, Bearl, Burel, Burlie, Elman, Eugean, Garl, Hulan, Jerl, Jewett, Leavy, Merlon, Othal, Allin, Argyle, Barnell, Bartow, Belton, Berley, Berlie, Bonner, Boykin, Brace, Brainard, Burch, Burman, Burris, Buryl, Byard, Byford, Capers, Carless, Carold, Chevis, Chrys, Clanton, Cleatus, Cleburn, Cliffard, Cloy, Cloyde, Corbitt, Correll, Cottrell, Coyt, Dare, Dareld, Deloyd, Denman, Densel, Densil, Derl, Derrall, Dewell, Dink, Dodd, Doil, Dois, Doren, Dorr, Doye, Duell, Earmon, Earsel, Edgel, Ervine, Felder, Floyde, Floyed, Forney, Fount, Gailen, Garlen, Glyndon, Goble, Halford, Halton, Harl, Herley, Hilman, Hurshell, Ikey, Jerauld, Juell, Laymond, Leaman, Leray, Lister, Loomis, Lott, Loyed, Luman, Luvern, Mancil, Marl, Mead, Mearle, Meril, Merland, Mirl, Mort, Newel, Norm, Normal, Ogle, Oney, Orby, Ordean, Orvell, Orvie, Osby, Pratt, Raford, Rawson, Rector, Reford, Robey, Seaton, Shafter, Trice, Tunis, Twain, Ulus, Vernor, Warnell, Welborn, Wendle, Willet, Willett, Willys
Names like Earl
Names whose popularity has moved with Earl's over the last 50 years.

