Perlene
A modern feminine name derived from the word "pearl", signifying precious beauty.
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Perlene. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Perlene today is around 91 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Perlene births was 1923 (8 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Perlene. 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
- • The typical person named Perlene is about 91 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Perlenes were born before 1945.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Perlene. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1923
8 babies that year
Average age
91
years old
1946 SSA rank
#5,527
Tracked since 1916
Popularity
Perlene: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Perlene from the 1910s through to the 1940s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 34 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Perlene 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 Perlene during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Perlene
Perlene is a unique and intriguing name with roots that can be traced back to the Latin language. It is believed to have originated from the Latin word "perla," which translates to "pearl." This connection suggests that the name may have been inspired by the beauty and rarity of the precious gemstone.
The earliest recorded usage of the name Perlene can be found in ancient Roman texts, where it was occasionally bestowed upon female infants born into affluent families. Its association with pearls, symbols of elegance and wealth, made it a favored choice among the upper echelons of Roman society.
One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Perlene was a Roman noblewoman who lived during the 2nd century AD. Unfortunately, historical records have not preserved her full name, but she is mentioned in several accounts as a prominent figure in the cultural and social circles of her time.
As the Roman Empire expanded, the name Perlene spread to various regions under its influence. It gained a foothold in parts of Europe, particularly in regions with strong Latin linguistic roots, such as Italy, Spain, and France.
During the Renaissance period, the name Perlene experienced a resurgence in popularity, coinciding with the renewed appreciation for classical art and literature. It was embraced by artists, scholars, and poets who found inspiration in its connection to the beauty and rarity of pearls.
One notable figure from this era who bore the name Perlene was an Italian painter and fresco artist born in 1457. Her works adorned the walls of several churches and palaces in Florence and Rome, earning her recognition as a skilled artisan of her time.
In the 19th century, a French novelist and playwright named Perlene Duchamp gained recognition for her poetic and romantic literary works. Born in 1821, she became a celebrated figure in the Parisian literary circles of the era.
Another prominent individual with the name Perlene was a Spanish explorer and navigator who lived in the 16th century. Perlene Mendoza (1525-1598) was part of several expeditions that sailed across the Atlantic and helped map uncharted territories in the Americas.
Lastly, Perlene Delacroix (1876-1941) was a French sculptor and ceramist whose works were widely acclaimed for their intricate details and innovative techniques. Her creations were exhibited in prestigious galleries across Europe and are now part of several museum collections.
While the name Perlene may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and connection to beauty, rarity, and artistic expression make it a unique and captivating choice for those seeking a name with a touch of timeless elegance.
People
Perlene + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Perlene as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Perlene: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Perlene?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Perlene 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 1 in 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Perlene a common name?
We classify Perlene as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 56 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Perlene most popular?
The single biggest year for Perlene was 1923, when 8 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Perlene is about 91 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 Perlene in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Perlene a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Perlene in the SSA data are female. 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 Perlene still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Perlene 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 Perlene 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 the name Perlene?
See how many people have the name Perlene on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.