Holding steady.
Popularity of Pearlie since 1880
Babies named Pearlie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1937, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Pearlie's real moment was 1902.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 413 |
| 1890s | 944 |
| 1900s | 1,276 |
| 1910s | 2,428 |
| 1920s | 3,471 |
| 1930s | 3,258 |
| 1940s | 3,315 |
| 1950s | 1,972 |
| 1960s | 685 |
| 1970s | 206 |
| 1980s | 90 |
| 1990s | 40 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 20 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Pearlie is a diminutive form of Pearl, a name drawn from the English word for the precious gemstone. It first appeared on U.S. naming records in 1880, sharing the same origin as its root name. Pearl has a much longer history of use, but Pearlie specifically gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, peaking in 1902 when it hit its highest rank at number 173. Since then, its usage has declined steadily; by the mid-20th century it fell out of the top 1000 and remains rare today. It is associated with the 1900s decade, the era when it was most frequently given, and shows a stable trajectory with no signs of revival. Though it never reached the heights of some other gemstone names, Pearlie has a distinctly vintage charm that appeals to those seeking an old-fashioned sweetheart name.
Pearlie is a diminutive of Pearl, which derives from the English word for the gemstone, ultimately from Latin 'perla' or 'perna'. Pearl came into use as a given name following the Protestant Reformation, popular among Puritans for its virtue-related meaning. Pearlie emerged as a familiar form in the late 19th century.
Where Pearlie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Pearl, Lee
Variants: Pearley
Sibling names for Pearlie
Names that share Pearlie's style, for a brother or sister.
