Pearl: Baby Name of the DayThis post was originally published on February 21, 2009. It was substantially revised and re-posted on September 21, 2015.

It’s simple, elegant, and so much more than just a gemstone name.

Thanks to Kate for suggesting today’s Baby Name of the Day: Pearl.

Pearl: A Gem of a Name

Vermeer's original painting, Girl with a Pearl...

Like many a precious gem, Pearl was first widely used as a given name in the nineteenth century. In the US, the name ranked as high as #24 in the 1890s.

A beautiful pearl is rare. They’re produced by oysters. In nature, a bit of sand slips inside the oyster’s shell. An elegant defense system coats the grain with a shiny substance as a barrier. Instead of diving down and prying open every oyster hoping for a jackpot, today most pearls are farmed. The oysters are still employed, but the sand is slipped in on purpose.

So pearls come from oysters, but the word is a little harder to trace.

The Old French was perle, and is first recorded in the 1200s. But the usual Latin was margarita, from the Greek margarites – the source of the classic Margaret. Theories abound, linking pearl to words for similar shapes. There’s the Old English pere, for pear and the Sicilian perna, or ham. We just don’t know for certain.

Nonetheless, we’ve been wearing the gems forever. The earliest record goes back to China, circa English: Pearl Buck2300 BC. Royals used to sew them into their clothing. They’ve been crushed up as cosmetics.

And, of course, it’s the birthstone for June, making this a logical choice for a summer baby.

Pearl: Literary Dimensions

The Pearl of Great Price is a New Testament parable. According to Matthew, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to the costliest pearl. This makes the name a subtle spiritual choice.

The name picks up a literary dimension thanks to:

  • In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, adulteress Hester Prynne give the name to her daughter.
  • John Steinbeck wrote a novella called The Pearl – his hero was a poor pearl diver searching for one perfect gem to pay medical bills for his son.
  • Then there’s Pearl S. Buck, the Pulitzer Prize winning American writer raised in China by missionary parents. She’s best known for her enduring 1931 novel The Good Earth. (That’s her in the picture.)

There’s also Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. The portrait inspired a 1999 novel by the same name, which became a 2003 movie starring Scarlett Johansson as Griet – the name the author gave to the girl.

Pearl: 21st Century Edge

PearlBNoDsquareThe name has acquired something of an edge in recent years. Pearl Jam emerged from Seattle’s grunge scene to become one of the most influential bands of the decade. And let’s not overlook Minnie Pearl, she of the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw fame. If the rock band lends Pearl an edge, the country comedienne gives the name a certain spunk.

But mostly this name feels vintage, and the numbers suggest that it’s enjoying a revival. After leaving the US Top 1000 in the 1980s, Pearl returned in 2007. As of 2014, the name ranked #628.

Maya Rudolph and Jack Osborne both gave this name to their daughters. It was the middle name Busy Phillips chose for daughter Cricket, and Shonda Rhimes has an Emerson Pearl.

Not far behind is #664 – Perla, the Italian and Spanish version of the name.

Pearl is spare, sophisticated, and undeniably vintage, with layers of meaning. It’s a great option for parents looking for a fits-in/stands-out name for a girl.

What do you think of Pearl? Will this name continue to catch on?

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

24 Comments

  1. I had never, ever given any thought to the name Pearl, for some reason, but today, I read a sweet story about a mom named Perla, and now Perla is at the top of my list. How had I never considered it before? It is darling!

  2. One of my pet names for my daughter Sally is Pearl. I have always had an affinity for pearls. I treasure them more than diamonds.

  3. My middle name, from my great grandma. Her maiden name was Pearl Pansy Pace if you can believe it! I love this name and hope to carry on the tradition with my daughter.

  4. Hmm I do like this name although not enough to make my favourites list. I feel that others such as Edith are ready to be pulled out of the closet but I’m not sure that Pearl’s quite ready.