Pearly
Every Pearly since 1884 — 1,897 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Pearly
Pearly 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 1884, 1,897 American babies have been named Pearly — about 89% girls and 11% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1924, when 61 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 Pearly stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Pearly 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #13,248 | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | #17,077 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,204 | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | #13,760 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,882 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #11,634 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,251 | — | — |
| 1960 | 12 | #3,863 | — | — |
| 1955 | 15 | #3,063 | 5 | #4,251 |
| 1950 | 23 | #2,039 | — | — |
| 1945 | 24 | #1,732 | — | — |
| 1940 | 29 | #1,435 | — | — |
| 1935 | 26 | #1,479 | 5 | #4,029 |
| 1930 | 30 | #1,425 | — | — |
| 1925 | 46 | #1,148 | 6 | #4,085 |
| 1920 | 31 | #1,464 | 10 | #2,914 |
| 1915 | 18 | #1,870 | — | — |
| 1910 | 16 | #1,156 | — | — |
| 1905 | 5 | #2,167 | — | — |
| 1900 | 12 | #1,157 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | 6 | #1,312 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Pearly in 2025?
Pearly 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 Pearly?
1,897 babies have been named Pearly in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Pearly most popular?
Pearly peaked in 1924, when 61 newborns received the name.
Is Pearly a boy or girl name?
Pearly is used for both: about 89% of babies named Pearly have been girls and 11% boys.
Is the name Pearly rising or falling?
Pearly is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.