Pemberley
A girl's name of Old English origin with 56 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Pemberley hit its peak of 14 births in 2014, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Today, Pemberley reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Pemberley is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Pemberley is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, most famous as the name of Mr. Darcy's estate in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813). Austen likely derived the fictional name from English place-name elements — pem- possibly from Welsh pen ('head') and -ley from Old English leah ('woodland clearing').
Pemberley is the kind of literary name that Austen fans choose with intention — the estate itself representing beauty, wealth, and the moment Elizabeth Bennet reconsiders Darcy. As a baby name, it carries an unmistakable bookishness alongside genuine elegance. In the current wave of literary and place-inspired names, Pemberley stands out as one of the most specific and meaningful choices for devoted Austen readers.
EtymologyShow more
Pemberley is built from 9 letters and three syllables — a longer structure that creates presence and allows for natural nickname formation. Within the Old English naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Pemberley creates its characteristic bright, approachable quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Pemberley has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2013.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 50 | — |
The Story of Pemberley
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2014, Pemberley is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Pemberley are most likely born between 2013 and 2020.
How rare is Pemberley?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Pemberley is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2013, peaked in the 2010s with 50 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Pemberley by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 2013–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | #14689 |
| 2019 | 6 | #15144 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15204 |
| 2016 | 7 | #14002 |
| 2015 | 9 | #11615 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8388 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12884 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pemberley a boy's or girl's name?
When was Pemberley most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2013–2020