Find out how popular the first name Pearlie has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pearlie by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Pearlie is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Pearlie.

The history of the first name Pearlie

The name Pearlie originates from the English language and is derived from the word "pearl," a precious gem formed inside oysters and other mollusks. The name's roots can be traced back to the Middle English word "perle," which in turn came from the Old French "perne" and the Latin "perna," meaning a kind of bivalve shellfish.

Pearlie was initially used as a nickname or diminutive form of the name Pearl, which itself was derived from the gemstone pearl. The earliest recorded use of Pearlie as a given name dates back to the late 19th century in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Pearlie was Pearlie Reed (1894-1984), an American gospel singer and songwriter who was a member of the influential gospel group, the Fairfield Four. She was born in Tennessee and played a significant role in popularizing the genre of African American gospel music in the early 20th century.

Another notable Pearlie was Pearlie Graham (1910-1995), an American educator and civil rights activist from South Carolina. She dedicated her life to promoting equal education opportunities for African American students and advocated for the desegregation of public schools in the South.

In the literary world, Pearlie Deloise Gault (1904-1998) was an American author and educator known for her children's books, including the popular "Miss Lulu Bett" series. Her works often explored themes of family, community, and the experiences of African American children.

Pearlie Mae Reed (1922-2002) was an American blues singer and guitarist from Louisiana. She was known for her powerful vocals and her skill on the guitar, and she was an influential figure in the development of the Louisiana blues scene in the mid-20th century.

Pearlie Sutton (1926-2009) was an American basketball player and coach from North Carolina. She was a trailblazer in women's basketball, becoming one of the first African American women to play professionally in the All-American Red Heads touring basketball team in the 1940s.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Pearlie, a name that evokes the beauty and rarity of the pearl gemstone, and has been used across various cultures and time periods.

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 Pearlie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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