Pearline
Coined at the end of the 19th century from Pearl + -ine.
Every Pearline since 1889 — 6,262 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Pearline
Pearline 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 1889, 6,262 American babies have been named Pearline. Its peak came in 1927, when 187 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 Pearline stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Pearline 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 | 5 | #18,218 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,946 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,203 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,722 |
| 1970 | 30 | #2,499 |
| 1965 | 37 | #1,905 |
| 1960 | 46 | #1,667 |
| 1955 | 78 | #1,136 |
| 1950 | 83 | #1,005 |
| 1945 | 94 | #772 |
| 1940 | 123 | #638 |
| 1935 | 158 | #509 |
| 1930 | 139 | #582 |
| 1925 | 178 | #534 |
| 1920 | 135 | #614 |
| 1915 | 74 | #773 |
| 1910 | 43 | #656 |
| 1905 | 17 | #917 |
| 1900 | 13 | #1,095 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,763 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Pearline mean?
Coined at the end of the 19th century from Pearl + -ine.
How popular is the name Pearline in 2025?
Pearline 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 Pearline?
6,262 babies have been named Pearline in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Pearline most popular?
Pearline peaked in 1927, when 187 newborns received the name.
Is Pearline a boy or girl name?
Pearline is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Pearline rising or falling?
Pearline has been roughly stable over the past decade.