Find out how popular the first name Burl has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Burl by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Burl is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Burl.

The history of the first name Burl

The name Burl is believed to have originated from the Old English word "byrel," which means a small ring or hoop. It was initially used as a descriptive term for people who worked with rings or hoops, possibly referring to coopers or makers of wooden barrels and casks.

In the early Middle Ages, the name began to appear in various written records across England and parts of Normandy, where Old English and Norman French influences converged. It was often spelled as "Byrl," "Byrle," or "Burle" in these early documents.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Burl can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The record mentions a landowner named "Burle" in the county of Gloucestershire.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the name gained popularity among English and Norman families, possibly due to its association with skilled craftsmen or tradesmen. It was sometimes used as a surname, but it also became a given name in its own right.

Among the notable historical figures who bore the name Burl was Burl de Marlborough, a 13th-century English nobleman and landowner who served as a sheriff and military commander under King Henry III. He was born around 1210 and played a significant role in the Second Barons' War against the king.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Burl Ives (1909-1995), an American actor, writer, and folk singer. Born Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives in Illinois, he achieved widespread fame for his distinctive voice and performances in films like "The Big Country" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

In the literary world, Burl Hines (1942-1969) was an American writer and poet known for his raw and honest depictions of rural Southern life. His collection of short stories, "The Wendell Family Stories," published posthumously in 1972, received critical acclaim.

Burl Toler (1930-2009) was a pioneering African American football player and coach. He was one of the first Black officials in the National Football League and served as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, becoming the first Black head coach in the NFL.

Burl Cain (born 1942) is a former warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison. He gained recognition for his innovative approach to prison reform, emphasizing rehabilitation and education programs for inmates during his tenure from 1995 to 2016.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Burl was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Burl, please contact us.

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