MallowbyNames

Earl

URL · Nobleman or warrior, from the English aristocratic title.

2025 rank (boys)
#2,230
Babies named in 2025
63
Peak popularity
1894
2025 frequency
1 in 27,112 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 1985

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.

2.3k4.5k6.8k1880192019602000Most births 1921Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s4,830
1890s8,297
1900s9,251
1910s40,273
1920s63,602
1930s44,613
1940s39,128
1950s32,653
1960s20,369
1970s11,404
1980s7,397
1990s3,908
2000s1,906
2010s1,104
2020s439

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few 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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

E is for Earl, our favorite little boy.

E is for Earl…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Earl's letter becomes Earl's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Earl's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Earl mean?
Earl means 'nobleman' or 'warrior', originating from the English aristocratic title and the Old English 'eorl'.
How popular is the name Earl?
Earl is currently quite rare, ranking 2230th in the United States in 2025 with about 1 in 27,112 boys receiving the name.
Is Earl a boy's or girl's name?
Earl is traditionally and almost exclusively used for boys.