Earlie
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 2,263 recorded births. Also given to 1,329 girls.
Meaning & Origin
At 6 letters and one syllable, Earlie hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1885, with 2,263 total recorded births.
Earlie 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.
Earlie is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Earlie is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, a variant of Earl or Early, from the title meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior.' Used as a given name primarily in the American South, it carries an old-fashioned, dignified simplicity.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Earlie's final sounds are bright, approachable — giving the name a friendly, informal feel. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Earlie softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Earlie'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
Earlie has 92+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1885.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 | #7545 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 39 | #5831 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 89 | #3669 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 136 | #2435 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 238 | #1645 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 379 | #1122 | — |
| 1930s | 387 | #1062 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 474 | #1038 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 355 | #920 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 111 | #787 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 34 | #805 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 15 | #775 | — |
The Story of Earlie
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1922, Earlie is a name steeped in history. Boys named Earlie are most likely born between 1912 and 1932.
How rare is Earlie?
With 2,263 total births on record, Earlie remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1885, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 474 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Earlie by the numbers
- Would fill 47 school buses
- Meeting one Earlie per day would take 6.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(92 years, 1885–1991)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 6 | #7545 |
| 1987 | 5 | #7283 |
| 1986 | 11 | #3948 |
| 1984 | 6 | #5788 |
| 1983 | 6 | #5679 |
| 1981 | 5 | #6561 |
| 1980 | 6 | #5726 |
| 1979 | 11 | #3641 |
| 1978 | 8 | #4266 |
| 1977 | 13 | #3083 |
| 1976 | 8 | #4117 |
| 1975 | 5 | #5713 |
| 1974 | 12 | #2998 |
| 1972 | 10 | #3214 |
| 1971 | 12 | #2861 |
| 1970 | 10 | #3130 |
| 1969 | 8 | #3396 |
| 1968 | 12 | #2484 |
| 1967 | 10 | #2649 |
| 1966 | 14 | #2165 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Earlie as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Earlie has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 1,329 births since 1883.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earlie a boy's or girl's name?
When was Earlie most popular?
How popular is the name Earlie?
Can Earlie be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1885–1991