Pernell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#11,660

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Pernell

How common

1 in 284,679

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1964

183 babies

All-time total

3,312

#2,521 all-time among boys

First recorded

1915

in Social Security records

Pernell popularity over time

3,312 babies have been named Pernell since 1915, 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	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	30	48	78	8	–	#2,239
1920s	71	96	167	17	+114%	#2,030
1930s	81	118	199	20	+19%	#1,799
1940s	60	149	209	21	+5%	#1,537
1950s	18	176	194	19	-7%	#1,604
1960s	10	945	955	96	+392%	#593
1970s	5	464	469	47	-51%	#922
1980s	–	439	439	44	-6%	#1,344
1990s	–	292	292	29	-33%	#1,646
2000s	–	169	169	17	-42%	#3,944
2010s	–	111	111	11	-34%	#5,606
2020s (to 2025)	–	30	30	5	-55%	#6,931

The story of Pernell

Pernell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,660 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1915, 3,312 American babies have been named Pernell, about 92% boys and 8% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1964, when 183 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1960s.

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 Pernell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Pernell?

The median living Pernell is about 52 years old; half are between 36 and 61. An estimated 2,500 people named Pernell 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.

Pernell 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	–	–	6	#11,660
2024	–	–	–	–
2023	–	–	6	#11,902
2022	–	–	6	#11,953
2021	–	–	–	–
2020	–	–	12	#6,931
2019	–	–	10	#8,058
2018	–	–	9	#8,651
2017	–	–	14	#6,256
2016	–	–	10	#8,013
2015	–	–	5	#13,532
2014	–	–	10	#7,977
2013	–	–	12	#6,920
2012	–	–	9	#8,695
2011	–	–	16	#5,606
2010	–	–	16	#5,668
2009	–	–	14	#6,344
2008	–	–	17	#5,427
2007	–	–	15	#5,845
2006	–	–	25	#3,967
2005	–	–	11	#6,993
2004	–	–	12	#6,416
2003	–	–	20	#4,233
2002	–	–	16	#4,857
2001	–	–	21	#3,944
2000	–	–	18	#4,330
1995	–	–	31	#2,484
1990	–	–	41	#1,900
1985	–	–	50	#1,383
1980	–	–	46	#1,404
1975	–	–	45	#1,296
1970	–	–	45	#1,248
1965	5	#7,255	148	#624
1960	–	–	37	#1,315
1955	–	–	18	#1,891
1950	12	#3,187	22	#1,604
1945	5	#5,085	11	#2,216
1940	10	#2,911	10	#2,440
1935	7	#3,676	10	#2,497
1930	9	#3,271	9	#2,957
1925	12	#2,902	7	#3,655
1920	–	–	12	#2,571
1915	6	#4,161	6	#3,730
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Pernell

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

1 Pernell Roberts American actor (1928–2010) Contemporary
2 Pernell Whitaker American boxer (1964–2019) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Pernell?

The median living Pernell is about 52 years old. Half of all living Pernells are between 36 and 61 years old.

How many people named Pernell are alive today?

An estimated 2,500 people named Pernell are alive in the United States, based on 3,312 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Pernell in 2025?

Pernell ranked #11,660 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Pernell?

3,312 babies have been named Pernell in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Pernell most popular?

Pernell peaked in 1964, when 183 newborns received the name.

Is Pernell a boy or girl name?

Pernell is used for both: about 8% of babies named Pernell have been girls and 92% boys.

Is the name Pernell rising or falling?

Pernell is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Pernell?

Well-known people named Pernell include Pernell Roberts (actor), Pernell Whitaker (boxer).

Names like Pernell

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

Compare Pernell with similar names → More names starting with P →