Jearl
Primarily a boy's name of German origin with 542 recorded births. Also given to 54 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Jearl is a vintage name that peaked in the pre-war decades and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Jearl is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jearl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a variant spelling of Gerald or Earl, with Gerald from the Old German meaning 'spear ruler' and Earl from the Old English eorl meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior.' The unusual spelling creates a name that looks familiar yet distinctive.
Jearl was used in the American South and Midwest in the mid-twentieth century, reflecting the regional practice of giving children names that sounded established and dignified while carrying a distinctive spelling that made them feel individual.
EtymologyShow more
Though Jearl dates back to 1919 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The German classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Jearl’s 542 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jearl has 50+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1919.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 | #6254 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 17 | #4867 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 48 | #3338 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 92 | #3030 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 142 | #2131 | — |
| 1930s | 149 | #1948 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 76 | #3132 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 7 | #3571 | — |
The Story of Jearl
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1941, Jearl is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Jearl are most likely born between 1931 and 1951.
How rare is Jearl?
With 542 total births on record, Jearl remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1919, peaked in the 1930s with 149 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jearl by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Jearl per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(50 years, 1919–1983)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 | #5815 |
| 1980 | 5 | #6693 |
| 1974 | 6 | #4901 |
| 1971 | 6 | #4644 |
| 1970 | 5 | #5055 |
| 1969 | 9 | #3183 |
| 1964 | 10 | #2742 |
| 1963 | 5 | #4319 |
| 1962 | 6 | #3827 |
| 1961 | 9 | #2994 |
| 1960 | 9 | #2964 |
| 1959 | 5 | #4267 |
| 1958 | 10 | #2716 |
| 1957 | 5 | #4253 |
| 1956 | 6 | #3714 |
| 1955 | 12 | #2363 |
| 1954 | 6 | #3622 |
| 1953 | 13 | #2232 |
| 1952 | 14 | #2112 |
| 1951 | 9 | #2758 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Jearl as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Jearl has also been given to 54 girls in the U.S. since 1926.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jearl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jearl most popular?
How popular is the name Jearl?
Can Jearl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1919–1983