Errol

♂ Boy

Pronounced EHR-əl /ˈɛr.əl/High

Meaning: From the Scottish place Errol; also linked to the Germanic Earl/'a wanderer, an errant one'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A wanderer; from Errol: Errol is a Scottish place/Norman name. Crisp, vintage, and warm (said 'EHR-əl').

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Origin LowScottish, German

MeaningFrom the Scottish place Errol; also linked to the Germanic Earl/'a wanderer, an errant one'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#5454 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births17 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1941

Total births (all-time)≈ 8,630

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Errol comes from the Scottish place and surname Errol (a village in Perthshire) — and is popularly linked to 'a wanderer, an errant one' and to Earl, 'a nobleman' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, vintage name, given dash by the actor Errol Flynn and the cricketer/musicians who bear it (nickname Erro).

In the U.S. it appears in Caribbean and vintage-loving families. Rare, a-wanderer-or-from-Errol at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Errol comes from the Scottish place Errol, and is also linked to 'a wanderer, an errant one' (and to Earl, 'a nobleman') — a crisp, vintage name (the swashbuckling actor Errol Flynn; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'EHR-əl').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Errol — routes layered

Variations

ErrollErral

Nicknames

Erro

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Errol…

Earl— a name it is linked to

Elroy— a sound-neighbor El- boys' name

Darrel— a fellow -rel boys' name

Endrick— a similarly popular pick

Ewan— shares Errol's Scottish roots

Explore names like Errol

By themeuncertain place-name german scottish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Errol mean?

Errol is a Scottish place-name, linked to 'a wanderer' and to Earl; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Errol?

It's said EHR-əl /ˈɛr.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Errol a boy or girl name?

Errol is a boy's name.

How popular is Errol?

Errol is a rare name in the U.S.