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Home › Baby Names Directory › Perla

Perla

♀ Girl

Pronounced PEHR-lah /ˈpɛr.la/Low

Meaning: Pearl; precious gem from the seaLow

In 30 seconds: Perla is the Spanish and Italian form of Pearl, meaning the precious gem formed inside oysters. A gem name with natural elegance, it has been used across Latin America and the Mediterranean for generations.
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Origin LowSpanish, Latin, Old French
MeaningPearl; precious gem from the sea
U.S. rank (2025)#1590 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births132 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)≈ 20,801

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200319182025

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

Perla derives from the Spanish and Italian word for pearl, from the Old French perle and ultimately from Latin roots. As a given name it has been used in Spain, Italy, and Latin America since at least the medieval period, when pearl imagery was associated with purity and beauty.

Perla is popular across Latin America and among Hispanic communities in the United States. As a gem name it sits alongside Ruby, Jade, and Crystal in the category of precious-stone names, though with a distinctive Latinate sound.

Did you know? Pearls are the only gems created by living creatures, formed when an oyster coats an irritant with layer upon layer of nacre over years. Ancient cultures called them the tears of the moon, connecting them to mystery and feminine beauty.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Pearl

Variations

PearlPearlaPerle

Nicknames

PerlPearly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Perla Haney-Jardine (1997–present)
    Brazilian-American actress, played B.B. in Kill Bill: Volume 2

If you like Perla…

Pearl— English form of same name
Esmeralda— Spanish gem name of similar elegance
Ruby— Gem name used for girls in similar tradition
Crystal— Gem/mineral name for girls

Explore names like Perla

By themespanishclassicnaturetwo-syllablegempearl
By meaningSea / WaterJewel / Gem

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Perla mean?

Perla means pearl in Spanish and Italian, referring to the precious gem formed inside oysters.

How do you pronounce Perla?

Perla is pronounced PEHR-lah, with two syllables.

Is Perla a popular name?

Yes, Perla is widely used in Latin America and among Hispanic communities in the United States.

What names are similar to Perla?

Names similar to Perla include Pearl, Esmeralda, Ruby, and Crystal.

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