Pearline is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was created by the famous author, poet, and playwright Tennessee Williams as part of his extensive collection of creative writings.
The name Pearline first appeared in Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire," which was published in 1947 and premiered on Broadway the following year. In the play, Pearline is a character who works at a diner where the protagonist, Blanche DuBois, temporarily resides. Despite her brief appearance, Pearline has left an indelible mark on literature and popular culture.
The meaning of Pearline is not explicitly defined in the play or by its author. However, some people interpret it as a blend of "pearl" and "eline," which could symbolize elegance, purity, and grace combined with strength, energy, and independence. As with many literary creations, the true significance of Pearline may lie in the eye of the beholder.
Before Tennessee Williams introduced Pearline to the world, it was not a recognized given name. Today, while still relatively rare, Pearline has become an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive and memorable name for their daughters. It offers a blend of uniqueness and familiarity, as it sounds like familiar names but is spelled differently.
In summary, Pearline is a fascinating and unique given name with American roots in literature. Its meaning may be open to interpretation, but its significance lies in its connection to the renowned playwright Tennessee Williams and his seminal work "A Streetcar Named Desire." For those drawn to its distinctive sound and literary heritage, Pearline offers an attractive and memorable naming option.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the popularity of the name Pearline in the United States over time.
From 1889 to 1957, Pearline was a relatively popular name for newborn girls. The number of births peaked at 187 in 1927 and had an average of around 70 births per year during this period. However, from the late 1950s onwards, there was a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Pearline.
Between 1958 and 2016, the number of girls named Pearline at birth dropped significantly, with fewer than 50 births per year recorded in most years. The lowest point was reached in 2016, with only 5 births registered. It is worth noting that these statistics may not include all births, as some parents might choose not to register their child's name or might register it later.
In summary, Pearline was a popular girl's name in the United States during the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries but has since become less common. Despite this decline in popularity, there have been consistently some girls named Pearline born each year up until at least 2016.