Perley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Perley has Old French origins, meaning 'pearl'. It evolved through various forms in different languages and has a rich etymological background associated with beauty. Although it has biblical relevance, it is not directly mentioned in scripture. The name gained popularity in the 19th century and is seen as vintage today, with notable figures bearing the name.
The name Perley is most popular in Maine, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Perley has been stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Perley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1444th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1818th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3327th out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6604th out of 9204 names. Discover how the name 'Perley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Perley"
Pronunciation
/ˈpɜːrli/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Perley is derived from the Old French word 'perli', which means 'pearl'. It is often associated with purity and beauty.
Meaning
pearl
Language Evolution
Perle (Old French), Perla (Italian/Spanish), Perl (German)
Historical Usage
The name Perley gained some popularity in the United States during the 19th century, often used as a given name or surname.
Variants & Derivatives
Perlie, Pearley
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Perley is considered an uncommon name, often perceived as vintage or unique, appealing to those looking for less conventional names.
Famous People
Perley E. Smith, an American politician, Perley A. McKeen, a notable architect
Explore More Perley Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Perley"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Perley"
"Perley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1444th of 7545 | 406 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1818th of 6773 | 288 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3327th of 7552 | 114 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6604th of 9204 | 22 |
Regional Popularity of "Perley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
41.70% 575th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
41.39% 644th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
59.55% 1447th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Perley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Perley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Perley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.