Burl: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Burl

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1921

211 babies

All-time total

7,200

#1,447 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Burl popularity over time

7,200 babies have been named Burl since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	152	152	15	–	#381
1890s	–	135	135	14	-11%	#389
1900s	–	180	180	18	+33%	#452
1910s	–	989	989	99	+449%	#454
1920s	19	1,656	1,675	168	+69%	#418
1930s	–	1,292	1,292	129	-23%	#449
1940s	–	994	994	99	-23%	#556
1950s	–	832	832	83	-16%	#686
1960s	–	452	452	45	-46%	#997
1970s	–	265	265	27	-41%	#1,397
1980s	–	144	144	14	-46%	#2,008
1990s	–	42	42	4	-71%	#4,798
2000s	–	18	18	2	-57%	#8,448
2010s	–	18	18	2	0%	#10,965
2020s (to 2025)	–	12	12	2	+11%	#10,065

The story of Burl

Burl is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 7,200 American babies have been named Burl. Its peak came in 1921, when 211 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Burl stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Burl?

The median living Burl is about 70 years old; half are between 58 and 79. An estimated 2,200 people named Burl are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Burl year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	–	–	7	#10,065
2023	–	–	–	–
2022	–	–	5	#12,659
2021	–	–	–	–
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	6	#10,992
2017	–	–	6	#10,986
2016	–	–	–	–
2015	–	–	–	–
2014	–	–	–	–
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	–	–
2010	–	–	6	#10,965
2009	–	–	–	–
2008	–	–	–	–
2007	–	–	–	–
2006	–	–	–	–
2005	–	–	5	#11,712
2004	–	–	–	–
2003	–	–	–	–
2002	–	–	–	–
2001	–	–	7	#8,448
2000	–	–	6	#9,242
1995	–	–	7	#7,089
1990	–	–	6	#7,295
1985	–	–	12	#3,620
1980	–	–	27	#2,008
1975	–	–	21	#2,141
1970	–	–	36	#1,397
1965	–	–	45	#1,110
1960	–	–	59	#997
1955	–	–	96	#745
1950	–	–	99	#686
1945	–	–	84	#658
1940	–	–	113	#556
1935	–	–	137	#482
1930	–	–	134	#515
1925	–	–	150	#494
1920	–	–	174	#459
1915	–	–	130	#489
1910	–	–	37	#454
1905	–	–	21	#493
1900	–	–	18	#584
1895	–	–	8	#807
1890	–	–	12	#570
1885	–	–	17	#442
1880	–	–	14	#486

Famous people named Burl

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Burl Ives American musician and actor (1909–1995) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Burl, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Burl?

The median living Burl is about 70 years old. Half of all living Burls are between 58 and 79 years old.

How many people named Burl are alive today?

An estimated 2,200 people named Burl are alive in the United States, based on 7,200 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Burl mean?

Burl is the given name of:Burl Barer, American author and literary historian best known for his work on the character of Simon Templar, a.k.a.

How popular is the name Burl in 2025?

Burl did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Burl?

7,200 babies have been named Burl in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Burl most popular?

Burl peaked in 1921, when 211 newborns received the name.

Is Burl a boy or girl name?

Burl is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Burl rising or falling?

Burl is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Burl?

Well-known people named Burl include Burl Ives (actor).

Names like Burl

Names that sound and feel close to Burl: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Burl with similar names → More names starting with B →