Thurl
A boy's name of Old English origin with 295 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Either of the rear hip joints where the hip connects to the upper leg in certain animals, particularly cattle; often used as a reference point for measurement.
Thurl is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English thurel meaning 'hole, aperture' — referring to a gap or passage. It may also derive from Old Norse place names. In American culture, Thurl Ravenscroft was the bass voice behind Tony the Tiger and countless Disney recordings.
Thurl is a name that exists in exactly the right amount — rare enough to be genuinely distinctive, short enough to be effortlessly carried.
EtymologyShow more
Thurl first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1912. Its appearance in the 1910s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Old English classification suggests a path from old english linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Thurl has 37+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1912.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 11 | #4259 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 27 | #4058 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 36 | #3173 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 60 | #3232 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 108 | #2889 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 53 | #3162 | — |
The Story of Thurl
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Thurl is a name steeped in history. Boys named Thurl are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Thurl?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Thurl is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1912, peaked in the 1920s with 108 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Thurl by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1912–1967)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 5 | #4493 |
| 1961 | 6 | #4025 |
| 1956 | 6 | #3905 |
| 1954 | 5 | #4317 |
| 1952 | 5 | #4216 |
| 1951 | 5 | #4205 |
| 1950 | 6 | #3645 |
| 1948 | 6 | #3632 |
| 1946 | 8 | #2901 |
| 1943 | 7 | #3206 |
| 1941 | 6 | #3468 |
| 1940 | 9 | #2656 |
| 1939 | 10 | #2431 |
| 1938 | 7 | #3145 |
| 1937 | 7 | #3151 |
| 1935 | 9 | #2700 |
| 1934 | 5 | #4151 |
| 1933 | 9 | #2719 |
| 1932 | 8 | #3066 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4493 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thurl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thurl most popular?
How popular is the name Thurl?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1912–1967