Earling
An Old English name derived from words meaning "noble" and "descendant".
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Earling. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Earling today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Earling births was 1914 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Earling. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Earling. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1914
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1916 SSA rank
#4,089
Tracked since 1914
Popularity
Earling: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Earling by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Earling during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Earling
The name Earling has its origins in Old English, derived from the words "eorling" or "ærling," which means "a nobleman" or "a member of the aristocracy." This name was prevalent in Anglo-Saxon England, particularly during the 6th to 11th centuries.
Earling was a title bestowed upon men of high social rank and nobility in the Anglo-Saxon society. It was often used to refer to the sons of noblemen or those who held significant positions within the royal court or military.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Earling can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals that documented the history of the Anglo-Saxons. The name appears in various entries, referring to individuals who played prominent roles in the events of their time.
One of the most notable individuals named Earling was Earling of Lindsey, a powerful nobleman who lived in the late 7th century. He was a leader of the Mercian army and played a crucial role in the military campaigns against the Welsh and the Northumbrians.
Another historical figure bearing the name Earling was Earling of Mercia, who lived in the 9th century. He was a noble and a military commander in the service of King Berhtwulf of Mercia, and his exploits were recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Earling the Scribe was a renowned calligrapher and illuminator who lived in the late 10th century. He is known for his exceptional work in producing beautifully illustrated manuscripts, including the celebrated Benedictional of St. Æthelwold.
In the 11th century, Earling of Northumbria was a prominent figure who held significant influence in the region. He was a trusted advisor to King Cnut the Great and played a vital role in the political affairs of the time.
Earling the Warrior was a legendary figure in Anglo-Saxon folklore. He was said to be a fearless warrior who fought alongside King Alfred the Great in the battles against the Danish invaders in the 9th century. His bravery and heroics were celebrated in various legends and tales.
While the name Earling has its roots in Old English and was prevalent during the Anglo-Saxon period, its usage declined over time as the language and cultural norms evolved. However, it remains an important part of the rich history and heritage of English names, serving as a reminder of the nobility and social hierarchy that once existed in ancient England.
People
Earling + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Earling as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Earling: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Earling?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Earling going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Earling a common name?
We classify Earling as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 10 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Earling most popular?
The single biggest year for Earling was 1914, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Earling is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Earling in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Earling a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Earling in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Earling still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Earling in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Earling can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Earling as a first name?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.