Earline is a unique and distinctive female given name of American origin. Its meaning and history are not as widely known as some other names, but it has a fascinating story nonetheless.
The name Earline is believed to have been created by the author and poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. Millay was a prominent figure in the early 20th century literary scene and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1924. She wrote several notable works, including the play "Aria da Capo" and the collection of poems "The Ballad of the Clean Sweep".
According to some sources, Millay created the name Earline as a pet name for her sister Norma. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, and it remains a theory among Millay scholars.
Regardless of its origins, the name Earline has been used by several individuals throughout history. One notable example is Earline Hines-Pilgram, who became the first African American woman to be elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1987. This demonstrates that while Earline may not be a popular or well-known name, it has still made its mark on history.
In terms of meaning, there is no universally agreed-upon definition for the name Earline. Some sources suggest that it could mean "earl's child" or "noble child", referring to the Old English word "eorl" which means nobleman. However, this interpretation is not widely accepted and may simply be a coincidence.
Overall, Earline is an unusual and intriguing name with a mysterious history. While its origins and meaning remain somewhat unclear, there is no doubt that it has left its mark on history through the lives of those who have borne it.
The given statistics show the number of births with the name Earline in the United States each year from 1889 to 1995. The name first appeared in 1889, with a total of 5 babies named Earline born that year.
From 1895 onwards, there was an increase in the number of births with this name, peaking at 372 in 1924 and reaching another peak of 470 in 1927. The popularity of the name continued to rise until it reached its highest point in 1928, with 466 babies named Earline born that year.
However, starting from 1929, there was a significant decline in the number of births with this name. In fact, by 1953, only 198 babies were named Earline, marking a substantial decrease compared to previous years. This downward trend continued throughout the decades, reaching an all-time low in 1992 and 1995 with only 5 births each year.
In total, between 1889 and 1995, there were 16,524 babies named Earline born in the United States. This information provides valuable insight into the historical trend of this name's popularity over time.