Beverly is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the Old English words "beofer" and "leah," which mean "bee" and "woodland clearing," respectively. Therefore, the literal translation of Beverly is "bees in the woodland clearing." The name was originally used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name for females during the 20th century.
The earliest known usage of the name Beverly as a given name was in the late 19th century. However, it was not until the 1930s that Beverly began to gain significant popularity, likely due to its use by characters in popular culture, such as Beverly Hills, the affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, and the Beverly Sisters, a British singing group from the 1930s.
Throughout history, notable individuals with the name Beverly include American actresses Beverly Garland and Beverly Todd, Australian actress Beverly Dunn, and English singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. Despite its historical association with females, Beverly can also be used as a masculine given name or unisex name.
Overall, Beverly is a unique and distinctive feminine given name that evokes images of nature and beauty. Its origins in Old English language elements give it a rich historical background, while its popularization during the 20th century ensures its familiarity to modern audiences.
The name Beverly experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a striking increase from the late 1910s to the early 1920s, peaking in 1926 with 5437 births. This trend continued until the mid-1950s, after which there was a steady decline, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 188 births in 2021 and 202 births in 2023.