Unisex name · peaked 1926

Pearley

Every Pearley since 1882 — 851 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Pearley
Peak year
1926
31 babies
All-time total
851
since 1882

The story of Pearley

Pearley 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 1882, 851 American babies have been named Pearley — about 79% girls and 21% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1926, when 31 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 Pearley stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Pearley 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
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
1965
1960
1955
1950 5 #5,907
1945 15 #2,319
1940 23 #1,673
1935 18 #1,900 8 #2,888
1930 7 #3,968 9 #2,954
1925 20 #1,997 6 #4,084
1920 15 #2,444 7 #3,738
1915 15 #2,121 11 #2,413
1910
1905 9 #1,395
1900 9 #1,405
1895 7 #1,399
1890 6 #1,311
1885 6 #1,024
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Pearley in 2025?

Pearley 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 Pearley?

851 babies have been named Pearley in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Pearley most popular?

Pearley peaked in 1926, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Pearley a boy or girl name?

Pearley is used for both: about 79% of babies named Pearley have been girls and 21% boys.

Is the name Pearley rising or falling?

Pearley has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Pearley

Compare Pearley with similar names →