Pernell
Every Pernell since 1915 — 3,312 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
- Pernell Roberts Actor · 1928–2010
- Pernell Whitaker Boxer · 1964–2019
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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).