Burl
Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 7,180 recorded births. Also given to 19 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Burl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the Old French bourle, meaning 'a rounded knot in wood' — that beautiful, dense, swirling growth that makes wood burls among the most prized materials for furniture and art. As a name, it evokes natural beauty, density, and unique organic character.
Burl carries the unpretentious warmth of an old American craftsman's name — singer Burl Ives gave the name a folk music legacy, and its connection to the beautiful knots in wood gives it a quietly artisanal, natural depth.
EtymologyShow more
Burl is cataloged under the Old French naming tradition. Names from the Old French tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Burl has been recorded as a boy's name since 1880, with 7,180 total births. Browse the Old French names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Burl has 123+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11 | #11887 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 18 | #10980 | — |
| 2000s | 18 | #9800 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 42 | #6157 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 144 | #3770 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 265 | #1870 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 452 | #1146 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 832 | #805 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 994 | #640 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,292 | #508 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,656 | #473 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 989 | #497 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 180 | #580 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 135 | #569 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 152 | #487 | — |
The Story of Burl
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Burl is a name steeped in history. Boys named Burl are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Burl?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Burl — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,656 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Burl by the numbers
- Would fill 150 school buses
- Meeting one Burl per day would take 19.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(123 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11118 |
| 2022 | 5 | #12655 |
| 2018 | 6 | #10990 |
| 2017 | 6 | #10985 |
| 2010 | 6 | #10964 |
| 2005 | 5 | #11711 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8447 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9242 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7088 |
| 1993 | 10 | #5402 |
| 1992 | 8 | #6203 |
| 1991 | 11 | #4798 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7295 |
| 1989 | 5 | #8058 |
| 1988 | 13 | #3731 |
| 1987 | 7 | #5550 |
| 1986 | 11 | #3910 |
| 1985 | 12 | #3620 |
| 1984 | 19 | #2541 |
| 1983 | 14 | #3089 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Burl as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Burl has also been given to 19 girls in the U.S. since 1924.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Burl most popular?
How popular is the name Burl?
Can Burl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024