Holding steady.
Popularity of Jarl since 1919
Babies named Jarl per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 13 |
| 1950s | 28 |
| 1960s | 35 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jarl is an Old Norse name meaning 'nobleman' or 'earl', a title for a high-ranking chieftain. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1919, though it remains exceptionally rare: as of the latest data from 2025, the name does not rank in the top 1000 and the one-in-N incidence is not available due to low frequency. The peak year for Jarl was 1926, when it saw its most registrations, yet even then it was given to fewer than five babies. The trajectory suggests a consistently stable but extremely low usage, with no states reporting a notable concentration. As a Scandinavian title turned given name, Jarl fits with the modern revival of Nordic names like Bjorn and Astrid, appealing to families with Scandinavian heritage or an interest in Viking-era culture.
Jarl derives from Old Norse 'jarl', meaning a nobleman or chieftain, equivalent to the English title 'earl'. In medieval Scandinavia, a jarl was a high-ranking ruler subordinate to the king. The name fell out of common use but was revived in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Scandinavia and among Nordic-descended families.
Sibling names for Jarl
Names that share Jarl's style, for a brother or sister.
