Meaning & Origin
A female given name originating as a coinage.
Cheryl is a girl's and boy's baby name of uncertain origin, likely a French-influenced coinage from the 20th century, possibly blending the French chérie (beloved) with Beryl or similar -ryl endings. It emerged in the 1920s and spread rapidly through mid-century America.
Cheryl was a top 10 U.S. name in the 1950s and 1960s. Singer Cheryl Lynn gave it a soul music groove, while Cheryl Cole (now Cheryl) made it a pop culture fixture in the UK. Despite its invented origins, Cheryl carries genuine warmth and a distinctly mid-century American charm.