Holding steady.
Popularity of Pearly since 1884
Babies named Pearly per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Pearly's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 | 0 |
| 1890s | 60 | 0 |
| 1900s | 93 | 0 |
| 1910s | 199 | 36 |
| 1920s | 366 | 84 |
| 1930s | 336 | 37 |
| 1940s | 318 | 22 |
| 1950s | 197 | 24 |
| 1960s | 55 | 5 |
| 1970s | 7 | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 21 | 0 |
| 2020s | 12 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Pearly is a rare gem-inspired name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1884. It has never ranked among the top 1000 names, maintaining a consistent but very low usage over the decades. Its peak year of popularity was 1884, the year it was first recorded, with only a handful of births. The name has remained stable and uncommon, never experiencing a significant revival. It is most often viewed as a variant of Pearl, a more common jewel name from the same era. Pearly's simplicity and gentle sound appeal to parents seeking a vintage, nature-connected name without widespread use.
Pearly is a diminutive of Pearl, which derives from the English word for the gem. Pearl has been used as a given name since the 19th century, often in reference to the precious stone. Pearly emerged as a variant or nickname, sharing the same gemstone imagery.
Sibling names for Pearly
Names that share Pearly's style, for a brother or sister.
