Pearl
Pearl: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Pearl
Root meaning: “pearl water”
- A unisex given name from English.
- A female given name from English.
- A male given name from English.
Etymology
From pearl. * (river in China): From Chinese 珠江 (Zhūjiāng, Zyu1 Gong1, “Pearl River”); calque of Chinese 珠 (zhū, zyu1, “pearl”). * (haven in Hawaii): From Hawaiian Wai Momi (“pearl water”); calque of Hawaiian momi (“pearl”).
How popular is Pearl?
Since 1880, 159,088 girls and 3,922 boys in the U.S. have been named Pearl (98% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #24 in 1889. Its highest rank for boys was #186 in 1886. In 2025 it ranked #777 for girls, with 350 babies given the name.
Names similar to Pearl
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English girl names
Sibling name ideas for Pearl
Sister and brother names that share Pearl's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Pearl FAQ
What does the name Pearl mean?
Pearl traces back to a root meaning "pearl water". A unisex given name from English. A female given name from English. A male given name from English. From pearl. * (river in China): From Chinese 珠江 (Zhūjiāng, Zyu1 Gong1, “Pearl River”); calque of Chinese 珠 (zhū, zyu1, “pearl”). * (haven in Hawaii): From Hawaiian Wai Momi (“pearl water”); calque of Hawaiian momi (“pearl”).
What is the origin of the name Pearl?
Pearl is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Pearl?
Since 1880, 159,088 girls and 3,922 boys in the U.S. have been named Pearl (98% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #24 in 1889. Its highest rank for boys was #186 in 1886. In 2025 it ranked #777 for girls, with 350 babies given the name.
Is Pearl a boy or girl name?
Pearl is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 159,088 girls and 3,922 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.