Pearl

♀ Girl

Pronounced PURL /pɝːl/High

Meaning: Pearl; from the Old French perle and Medieval Latin perla meaning the lustrous gem formed in oysters, used as a name for its beauty and purityHigh

In 30 seconds: Pearl is a one-syllable jewel name meaning the lustrous sea gem, a Victorian favorite that has returned to fashion as parents rediscover its elegant simplicity, warm sound, and timeless beauty associations.

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Origin HighLatin, Old French

MeaningPearl; from the Old French perle and Medieval Latin perla meaning the lustrous gem formed in oysters, used as a name for its beauty and purity

U.S. rank (2025)#777 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births350 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 159,085

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Pearl derives from the Old French perle and Medieval Latin perla, meaning the pearl gem. The pearl was among the most precious gems of the ancient world, worn by queens and empresses. In multiple religious traditions it symbolizes purity, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment.

Pearl became a popular given name in the United States and Britain during the Victorian era, reaching its peak in the early 20th century. It declined through the mid-20th century but is now experiencing a strong revival as part of the vintage gem-name renaissance, alongside Ruby, Opal, and Coral.

Did you know? In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus tells the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, in which a merchant sells everything he owns to buy a single perfect pearl. This made pearl a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven in Christian tradition, adding spiritual depth to the gem name.

Overall data confidence 98%

Behind the Name — Pearl — etymology and Victorian usage historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

PearlePerlePear

Nicknames

Pearly

Famous Bearers

★Pearl Bailey (1918–1990)
American actress and singer who won a Tony Award in 1968 for the all-Black production of Hello, Dolly! and was appointed a U.S. special ambassador to the United Nations in 1975.
★Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973)
American novelist and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature (1938), best known for The Good Earth, her novel about Chinese rural life.

If you like Pearl…

Ruby— same vibrant vintage gem-name revival with one-syllable punch

Opal— fellow two-letter Victorian gem name experiencing a modern renaissance

Coral— shares the natural oceanic beauty and Victorian gem-name charm

June— same sweet one-syllable vintage name popular in the same early 20th-century era

Frequently Asked

What does the name Pearl mean?

Pearl means the precious pearl gem, from Old French perle, symbolizing purity, beauty, and wisdom.

How do you pronounce Pearl?

It is said PURL, one syllable.

Is Pearl making a comeback?

Yes, Pearl is experiencing a strong revival as part of the vintage gem-name trend, popular alongside Ruby and Opal.

Is Pearl a girls name?

Pearl is used almost exclusively as a girls name.