Earle is an uncommon English given name of Norman origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "jarl", which means "earl" or "nobleman". The name was introduced into England by the Normans after their conquest in 1066, and it was initially used as a title of nobility rather than a personal name.
The name Earle has been historically associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Ethelred II, also known as Ethelred the Unready, who ruled England from 978 to 1013. The name was also borne by several members of the powerful Earl family, which held significant lands and titles in medieval England.
Over time, the name Earle has evolved and taken on various spellings, including Earld, Eardley, and Erle. Despite its historical significance, the name remains relatively uncommon today, with fewer than 100 people sharing the name Earle as a first name in the United States according to the Social Security Administration's records.
In summary, Earle is an English given name of Norman origin that means "earl" or "nobleman". It has been historically associated with several notable figures throughout history and has evolved over time into various spellings. Today, it remains a uncommon but unique choice for a personal name.
The name Earle experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a clear peak in the early 20th century. Between 1911 and 1923, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Earle, reaching a peak of 328 births in 1917. However, by the late 1940s, the popularity had begun to decline sharply. From 1950 onwards, the number of annual Earle births fluctuated between a low of 5 (in several years) and a high of 72 (in 1961), with most years seeing fewer than 30 births. The most recent data available shows that there were 6 births in 2014, indicating that the name Earle remains quite rare today. In total, over the period covered by these statistics, there were 11505 babies named Earle.