Pearlene
A female given name originating as a coinage.
Every Pearlene since 1906 — 1,958 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Pearlene
Pearlene 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 1906, 1,958 American babies have been named Pearlene. Its peak came in 1938, when 64 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Pearlene stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Pearlene year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 9 | #5,699 |
| 1965 | 11 | #4,133 |
| 1960 | 16 | #3,175 |
| 1955 | 39 | #1,661 |
| 1950 | 43 | #1,403 |
| 1945 | 33 | #1,413 |
| 1940 | 48 | #1,043 |
| 1935 | 58 | #910 |
| 1930 | 41 | #1,176 |
| 1925 | 35 | #1,368 |
| 1920 | 24 | #1,743 |
| 1915 | 15 | #2,120 |
| 1910 | 13 | #1,319 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pearlene mean?
A female given name originating as a coinage.
How popular is the name Pearlene in 2025?
Pearlene 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 Pearlene?
1,958 babies have been named Pearlene in the United States since 1906, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Pearlene most popular?
Pearlene peaked in 1938, when 64 newborns received the name.
Is Pearlene a boy or girl name?
Pearlene is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Pearlene rising or falling?
Pearlene has been roughly stable over the past decade.