Earleen
A girl's name of Old English origin with 1,481 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 7 letters and two syllables, Earleen hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a girl's name in the U.S. since 1911, with 1,481 total recorded births.
Earleen is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Earleen is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Earleen is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, a feminine form of Earl, derived from the Old English eorl meaning 'nobleman' or warrior, with the -een suffix adding a soft, feminine ending.
Earleen was most popular in the American South from the 1920s through the 1940s, part of a tradition of feminizing titles and occupational names. It carries a warm, regional Americana character — straightforward and affectionate, with a distinctly Southern feel.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Earleen's final sounds are clean, contemporary — among the most common endings in modern American names. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Earleen breaks from that pattern, giving it a more distinctive edge.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Earleen's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Earleen has 62+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1911.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 9 | #6946 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 27 | #7427 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 119 | #3844 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 251 | #2237 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 385 | #1375 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 276 | #1463 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 324 | #1466 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 90 | #2498 | — |
The Story of Earleen
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1927, Earleen is a name steeped in history. Girls named Earleen are most likely born between 1917 and 1937.
How rare is Earleen?
With 1,481 total births on record, Earleen remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1911, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1940s with 385 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Earleen by the numbers
- Would fill 31 school buses
- Meeting one Earleen per day would take 4.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(62 years, 1911–1981)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 9 | #6946 |
| 1975 | 5 | #9472 |
| 1972 | 5 | #8622 |
| 1971 | 9 | #5654 |
| 1970 | 8 | #5959 |
| 1968 | 11 | #4279 |
| 1967 | 10 | #4386 |
| 1966 | 16 | #3181 |
| 1965 | 6 | #5996 |
| 1964 | 19 | #2936 |
| 1963 | 13 | #3674 |
| 1962 | 13 | #3648 |
| 1961 | 17 | #3095 |
| 1960 | 14 | #3398 |
| 1959 | 14 | #3306 |
| 1958 | 16 | #3004 |
| 1957 | 25 | #2235 |
| 1956 | 21 | #2480 |
| 1955 | 25 | #2175 |
| 1954 | 28 | #1994 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earleen a boy's or girl's name?
When was Earleen most popular?
How popular is the name Earleen?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1911–1981