Earl
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 289,108 recorded births. Also given to 2,247 girls.
Meaning & Origin
The title of an earl.
Earl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English eorl meaning "nobleman" or "warrior" — the same word that became the English aristocratic title Earl. Using nobility titles as given names was particularly fashionable in 19th and early 20th century America.
Earl ranked in the U.S. top 20 boys' names from the 1880s through the 1910s. Earl Hines helped define jazz piano; rapper Earl Sweatshirt gave the name an unexpected 21st-century revival. There's a no-nonsense directness to it that's actually quite appealing for parents seeking vintage character names.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Earl is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–2024). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Earl is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #2152), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Earl was #945 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2152, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 376 | #2022 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,102 | #1504 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,906 | #947 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 3,908 | #528 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 7,398 | #294 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 11,404 | #207 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 20,369 | #154 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 32,652 | #108 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 39,127 | #71 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 44,613 | #44 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 63,602 | #33 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 40,273 | #32 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 9,251 | #28 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 8,297 | #23 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 4,830 | #39 | — |
The Story of Earl
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Earl is a name steeped in history. Boys named Earl are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Earl?
Only about 1 in every 52,941 babies born in 2024 was named Earl — 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 63,602 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Earl by the numbers
- Enough Earls to fill 4.1 football stadiums
- More Earls than the population of a small U.S. town
- Meeting one Earl per day would take 792.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68 | #2152 |
| 2023 | 63 | #2250 |
| 2022 | 78 | #1971 |
| 2021 | 99 | #1665 |
| 2020 | 68 | #2074 |
| 2019 | 97 | #1664 |
| 2018 | 97 | #1659 |
| 2017 | 113 | #1490 |
| 2016 | 110 | #1525 |
| 2015 | 129 | #1355 |
| 2014 | 105 | #1526 |
| 2013 | 98 | #1580 |
| 2012 | 123 | #1371 |
| 2011 | 115 | #1430 |
| 2010 | 115 | #1443 |
| 2009 | 140 | #1258 |
| 2008 | 170 | #1093 |
| 2007 | 170 | #1081 |
| 2006 | 188 | #987 |
| 2005 | 183 | #953 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Earl as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Earl has also been given to 2,247 girls in the U.S. since 1881.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Earl most popular?
How popular is the name Earl?
Can Earl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024