Earla
A girl's name of Old English origin with 742 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Earla has 742 recorded U.S. births across 57+ years, peaking at 28 in 1949. It occupies the space between “never heard of it” and “everyone has one in their class” — a name that feels personal without being obscure.
Earla is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Earla is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, a feminine form of Earl, from the Old English eorl, meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior.' The -a ending feminizes the traditionally masculine title, following the American Southern tradition of giving daughters masculine names with feminine modifications.
Earla appeared in American records primarily in the early to mid-twentieth century, concentrated in Southern states. Like Earline and Earlene, it carries the aristocratic dignity of its earl meaning while feeling warmly approachable and distinctly American.
EtymologyShow more
Earla first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1912. Its appearance in the 1910s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Old English classification suggests a path from old english linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Earla has 54+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1912.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 80 | #4962 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 135 | #3430 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 182 | #2199 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 144 | #2099 | — |
| 1920s | 146 | #2567 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 55 | #2846 | — |
The Story of Earla
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1949, Earla is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Earla are most likely born between 1939 and 1959.
How rare is Earla?
With 742 total births on record, Earla remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1912, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1940s with 182 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Earla by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Earla per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(54 years, 1912–1969)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 10 | #4802 |
| 1968 | 10 | #4575 |
| 1967 | 5 | #7064 |
| 1966 | 8 | #4988 |
| 1964 | 9 | #4719 |
| 1963 | 7 | #5475 |
| 1962 | 7 | #5446 |
| 1961 | 12 | #3837 |
| 1960 | 12 | #3756 |
| 1959 | 7 | #5178 |
| 1958 | 7 | #5036 |
| 1957 | 8 | #4638 |
| 1956 | 15 | #3088 |
| 1955 | 16 | #2868 |
| 1954 | 15 | #2924 |
| 1953 | 16 | #2722 |
| 1952 | 15 | #2847 |
| 1951 | 13 | #2983 |
| 1950 | 23 | #2016 |
| 1949 | 28 | #1818 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earla a boy's or girl's name?
When was Earla most popular?
How popular is the name Earla?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1912–1969