Pearlene is a unique and beautiful name of American origin. It is believed to have been created by combining the names Pearl and Helen. The name Pearl has been around for centuries and means "precious gem" in English, while Helen is derived from Greek mythology and means "torch" or "shining light".
The name Pearlene is not very common, but it is often associated with elegance and sophistication due to its gemstone roots. It is also a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls.
There are no historical figures known by the name Pearlene, but the name has been used in popular culture from time to time. For example, there was a character named Pearlene on the American soap opera "Days of Our Lives" in the 1980s.
Overall, Pearlene is a unique and beautiful name that carries with it a sense of elegance and sophistication. Its gemstone roots give it a precious and valuable feel, while its unisex nature makes it an interesting choice for parents looking for something different.
Based on the statistics provided, we can see that the name Pearlene has a fascinating history of popularity in the United States over the past century. The name first appeared in the top baby names lists in the early 1900s, with five births recorded each year between 1906 and 1907.
The popularity of the name began to grow significantly during World War I. Between 1917 and 1920, there was a consistent increase in the number of newborn girls named Pearlene, from 24 births in 1919 to 35 births in 1920. This trend continued throughout the 1920s, with the highest recorded births being 60 in 1934.
The popularity of the name reached its peak during World War II, with a significant increase in births between 1942 and 1945. The number of newborn girls named Pearlene increased from 46 in 1943 to 58 in 1944, and then jumped to 64 in 1945. This suggests that the name may have been particularly popular among families with ties to the military or who were affected by the war.
However, after World War II, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily. Between 1946 and 1950, there was a consistent decrease in births named Pearlene, from 59 in 1947 to 33 in 1951. This trend continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with fewer than 25 births recorded each year.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the name Pearlene had become quite rare, with only nine births recorded in 1970 and eight births in 1978. Despite this decline in popularity, it's clear that Pearlene was once a widely loved and popular name for newborn girls in the United States.
Overall, these statistics provide valuable insight into the historical trends of baby naming practices in the United States over the past century. They highlight how certain names can rise and fall in popularity based on various cultural, historical, and societal factors.