Holding steady.
Popularity of Erle since 1882
Babies named Erle per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Erle's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 18 |
| 1900s | 7 |
| 1910s | 153 |
| 1920s | 186 |
| 1930s | 128 |
| 1940s | 123 |
| 1950s | 120 |
| 1960s | 81 |
| 1970s | 24 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Erle is a rare masculine name with strong Old English roots, meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1882 and reached its peak popularity in 1891, during the 1890s decade. Since then, its usage has been stable but very infrequent, with no recent rank data available. The name is a variant spelling of Earl, which was historically more common. Despite its obscurity, Erle carries a straightforward, vintage appeal for parents seeking a name with English heritage.
Erle derives from the Old English eorl, meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior,' a title given to high-ranking men before the Norman Conquest. It is a variant spelling of Earl, which became a common given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. The name saw its peak usage in the 1890s but has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Earl, Erl
Sibling names for Erle
Names that share Erle's style, for a brother or sister.
