Burl is an unusual and distinctive name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'burh', which means 'fortress' or 'stronghold'. The name Burl has been associated with strength, resilience, and fortitude throughout history.
The earliest recorded use of the name Burl can be traced back to medieval England. However, it was not a common given name during this period. Instead, it was often used as a nickname for individuals who were considered strong, brave, or had some connection to a fortress or defensive structure.
Over time, the name Burl began to appear more frequently in records, particularly in regions where Old English place names featuring 'burh' were prevalent. This suggests that the name may have been inspired by its geographical surroundings and the cultural significance attached to fortified strongholds during the Middle Ages.
In some cases, Burl was also used as a short form of other names containing the element 'burh', such as Burhhelm (which means 'strong helmet') or Burgwin (meaning 'fortress friend'). This further emphasizes the name's connection to strength and fortification.
While Burl is not a popular given name today, it remains an interesting and unique choice for parents looking for something different. Its historical roots and meaning make it a compelling option for those wishing to bestow their child with a name that carries significant weight and has stood the test of time.
The name Burl has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century and a half in the United States.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Burl was relatively popular, with annual birth counts ranging from single digits to several dozen. The highest point of this period occurred in 1928, when there were 170 births of boys named Burl.
However, starting around the 1930s, the popularity of the name Burl began to decline steadily. Between 1940 and 1965, the number of annual births with this name fluctuated between 40 and 80. By the late 1960s, it had fallen below 40.
This downward trend continued throughout the latter half of the 20th century. In the 1970s and 1980s, annual births of boys named Burl typically ranged from 10 to 30. By the early 1990s, this number had fallen below 10.
In recent years, Burl has become quite rare as a baby name in the United States. Between 2000 and 2022, there have been fewer than 10 births of boys named Burl each year, with most years seeing only a handful or even just one or two such births.
Overall, based on available data, there have been a total of 7174 births of boys named Burl in the United States since 1880.