Jeryl
Primarily a girl's name of Hebrew origin with 1,029 recorded births. Also given to 802 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A unisex given name.
Jeryl is a girl's and boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant of Jeryl or Geryl — possibly a feminine form of Jerold or Gerald, from the Germanic meaning 'ruling spear' or a phonetic variant of Cheryl, from the French chérie (beloved). The J- opening gives it an unusual, distinctive character.
Jeryl was most popular in mid-20th century America as a creative feminine name with a slightly masculine edge — the kind of androgynous-leaning name that was fashionable in naming in the 1940s and 1950s. It carries a quiet, self-assured quality that feels genuinely individualistic.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Jeryl's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Jeryl breaks from that pattern, giving it a more distinctive edge.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Jeryl'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
Jeryl has 39+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1931.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 28 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 250 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 577 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 145 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 29 | — |
The Story of Jeryl
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1955, Jeryl is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Jeryl are most likely born between 1945 and 1965.
How rare is Jeryl?
With 1,029 total births on record, Jeryl remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1931, peaked in the 1950s with 577 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jeryl by the numbers
- Would fill 21 school buses
- Meeting one Jeryl per day would take 2.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(39 years, 1931–1978)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 6 | #8978 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8405 |
| 1974 | 5 | #9310 |
| 1972 | 5 | #8798 |
| 1971 | 6 | #7756 |
| 1969 | 13 | #4046 |
| 1968 | 11 | #4322 |
| 1967 | 11 | #4152 |
| 1966 | 63 | #1392 |
| 1965 | 64 | #1381 |
| 1964 | 18 | #3043 |
| 1963 | 11 | #4121 |
| 1962 | 19 | #2856 |
| 1961 | 17 | #3110 |
| 1960 | 23 | #2539 |
| 1959 | 34 | #1936 |
| 1958 | 60 | #1370 |
| 1957 | 47 | #1577 |
| 1956 | 69 | #1254 |
| 1955 | 155 | #770 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Jeryl as a Boy's Name
Jeryl is a true unisex name. As a boy's name, it has 802 recorded births since 1924.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jeryl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jeryl most popular?
How popular is the name Jeryl?
Can Jeryl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1931–1978