At a glance
- In short
- Perlie is a charming unisex name with a touch of Latin sunshine, born from the Latin perla and Old English perle—both meaning “pearl.”
- U.S. rank 2025
- Not in the 2025 data · last seen 1960 (#4,773)
- Babies in 1960
- 8 (<0.01% of girls)
- Peak
- #1,122 in 1896
- First recorded
- 1889
Meaning of Perlie
Perlie is a charming unisex name with a touch of Latin sunshine, born from the Latin perla and Old English perle—both meaning “pearl.” Though it only flickered onto U.S. baby charts in the early 1900s with just a handful of little PUR-lees each year, that rarity makes it a true hidden gem—you’re unlikely to run into another Perlie at the playground. The sound is quick and bright, like salsa steps at sunset, and it carries a luminous strength that feels both timeless and fresh. For parents craving simple elegance, gentle warmth, and a spark of inspiration, Perlie is ready to shine.
How to pronounce Perlie
English
- Pronounced PUR-lee /ˈpɜrli/
Popularity of Perlie in the U.S.
Perlie was last recorded in the U.S. in 1960, ranked #4,773 with 8 babies. It peaked at #1,122 in 1896. It first appears in the records in 1889.
- Rank among U.S. girl names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1889–1960 55 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 8 | 4,773 | back (not recorded in 1957–1959) |
| 1956 | 5 | 5,952 | back (not recorded in 1951–1955) |
| 1950 | 5 | 5,301 | ▼ 1,409 |
| 1949 | 8 | 3,892 | ▲ 1,351 |
| 1948 | 5 | 5,243 | ▼ 898 |
| 1947 | 7 | 4,345 | ▼ 680 |
| 1946 | 8 | 3,665 | ▲ 11 |
| 1945 | 7 | 3,676 | ▼ 298 |
| 1944 | 8 | 3,378 | ▼ 129 |
| 1943 | 9 | 3,249 | ▲ 1,373 |
| 1942 | 5 | 4,622 | ▼ 2,350 |
| 1941 | 14 | 2,272 | ▲ 1,231 |
| 1940 | 7 | 3,503 | ▼ 767 |
| 1939 | 10 | 2,736 | ▼ 289 |
| 1938 | 12 | 2,447 | ▼ 130 |
| 1937 | 13 | 2,317 | ▲ 1,059 |
| 1936 | 7 | 3,376 | ▲ 55 |
| 1935 | 7 | 3,431 | ▼ 864 |
| 1934 | 11 | 2,567 | ▲ 121 |
| 1933 | 10 | 2,688 | ▼ 323 |
| 1932 | 13 | 2,365 | ▼ 160 |
| 1931 | 14 | 2,205 | ▲ 640 |
| 1930 | 10 | 2,845 | ▲ 292 |
| 1929 | 9 | 3,137 | ▼ 1,114 |
| 1928 | 18 | 2,023 | ▼ 195 |
| 1927 | 22 | 1,828 | ▲ 55 |
| 1926 | 21 | 1,883 | ▲ 236 |
| 1925 | 18 | 2,119 | ▲ 93 |
| 1924 | 17 | 2,212 | ▲ 375 |
| 1923 | 13 | 2,587 | ▼ 751 |
| 1922 | 22 | 1,836 | ▲ 359 |
| 1921 | 17 | 2,195 | ▼ 116 |
| 1920 | 18 | 2,079 | ▲ 185 |
| 1919 | 15 | 2,264 | ▲ 558 |
| 1918 | 11 | 2,822 | ▲ 57 |
| 1917 | 10 | 2,879 | ▼ 746 |
| 1916 | 15 | 2,133 | ▲ 1,662 |
| 1915 | 6 | 3,795 | ▼ 1,361 |
| 1914 | 9 | 2,434 | ▲ 393 |
| 1913 | 6 | 2,827 | ▼ 467 |
| 1912 | 7 | 2,360 | ▼ 568 |
| 1911 | 8 | 1,792 | ▼ 525 |
| 1910 | 13 | 1,267 | ▲ 102 |
| 1909 | 10 | 1,369 | ▲ 178 |
| 1908 | 8 | 1,547 | back (not recorded in 1906–1907) |
| 1905 | 7 | 1,538 | ▼ 52 |
| 1904 | 7 | 1,486 | ▼ 46 |
| 1903 | 7 | 1,440 | back (not recorded in 1901–1902) |
| 1900 | 9 | 1,319 | back (not recorded in 1899) |
| 1898 | 8 | 1,263 | back (not recorded in 1897) |
| 1896 | 9 | 1,122 | back (not recorded in 1895) |
| 1894 | 6 | 1,353 | back (not recorded in 1893) |
| 1892 | 6 | 1,278 | ▲ 54 |
| 1891 | 5 | 1,332 | back (not recorded in 1890) |
| 1889 | 5 | 1,279 | new |