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Perel

♀ Girl

Pronounced PEH-rel /ˈpɛrəl/High

Meaning: Pearl; from Yiddish perl meaning pearl, the Ashkenazi Jewish equivalent of the Hebrew name PeninaHigh

In 30 seconds: Perel is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish name meaning pearl in Yiddish, a vintage gem from Eastern European Jewish communities now carried by families honoring their heritage.
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Origin HighYiddish
MeaningPearl; from Yiddish perl meaning pearl, the Ashkenazi Jewish equivalent of the Hebrew name Penina
U.S. rank (2024)#3101 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births52 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 846

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419842024

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

History & Origin

The name Perel (also spelled Perl or Perle) derives from the Middle High German and Yiddish word for pearl. In Ashkenazi communities of Eastern Europe — particularly in Poland, Ukraine, and the Russian Empire — it was a widely used given name from the medieval period through the early 20th century.

The Holocaust decimated the communities in which Perel was common, and the name became rare after World War II. A modest revival has occurred in observant Orthodox and Hasidic communities who give it as a tribute to ancestors. The name was internationally spotlighted by the memoir-turned-film Europa Europa about Salomon Perel.

Did you know? Many Ashkenazi Jewish girls named Perel were given the Hebrew name Penina for religious documents, since Yiddish and Hebrew names were paired in traditional communities.
Overall data confidence 92%
Alexander Beider, A Dictionary of Ashkenazic Given Names — Yiddish name etymology and usageYIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe — cultural context for Ashkenazi naming

Variations

PerlPerlePerlaPenina

Nicknames

PeriPearl

Famous Bearers

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If you like Perel…

Penina— Hebrew equivalent with the same meaning of pearl
Miriam— classic Ashkenazi Jewish name with similar heritage
Rivka— fellow Yiddish-community traditional girls name
Gittel— shares the vintage Ashkenazi Jewish name tradition

Frequently Asked

What does the name Perel mean?

Perel means pearl in Yiddish, and was a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish name in Eastern Europe.

How do you pronounce Perel?

Perel is pronounced PEH-rel, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Perel a boy or girl name?

Perel is used exclusively as a girls name in the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition.

How popular is Perel?

Perel is rare today, primarily used in Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish communities as a tribute to Eastern European ancestors.