Pernell is a unique and distinctive male given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old French word "Perronel", which was a diminutive form of the name "Peter". The name Peter itself has Greek roots, meaning "rock" or "stone".
The name Pernell has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including the English cricketer Pernell Swallow and American football player Pernell Phillips. However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names of English origin.
Despite its rarity, Pernell is a charming and memorable name that carries a certain vintage charm. Its meaning adds depth and significance to the name, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking something unique yet meaningful for their child.
The name Pernell has been given to a total of 3031 babies born in the United States between 1915 and 2023, with a noticeable increase in its popularity during the mid-20th century.
In the early years recorded (1915-1927), Pernell was quite rare, with an average of only around 8 births per year. However, starting from 1928, there was a significant rise in the number of babies named Pernell, peaking at 24 births in 1949.
The name's popularity remained relatively stable throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, with an average of about 15 births per year. Interestingly, it experienced a remarkable surge in popularity between 1960 and 1964, during which time over 178 babies were named Pernell each year – the highest numbers recorded.
After this peak period, the name's popularity gradually declined throughout the remainder of the 20th century. From the mid-1970s onwards, fewer than 50 babies per year were typically given the name Pernell. This trend continued into the early 21st century, with an average of around 12 births per year between 2000 and 2014.
More recently, however, there has been a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Pernell. Between 2015 and 2023, the number of babies named Pernell has averaged around 9 births per year – higher than the previous decade's average but still far from its mid-20th-century peak.
Overall, while Pernell was once a relatively popular name in the United States, it is now quite rare. Its popularity has fluctuated significantly over the past century, with notable peaks in the mid-1960s and more recently, albeit on a much smaller scale.