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.
Based on the statistics provided, the popularity of the name Beverly has fluctuated over time in the United States.
From 1893 to 1914, there were fewer than 150 births per year with the name Beverly. However, starting in 1915, the number of babies named Beverly began to rise significantly, reaching 311 births that year. This trend continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with peaks of 9771 births in 1938 and 10430 births in 1946.
The name Beverly reached its peak popularity between the 1950s and 1960s, with over 10000 births per year for several years during this period. However, starting in the late 1960s, the popularity of the name began to decline steadily.
By the early 2000s, there were fewer than 200 births per year with the name Beverly. Despite this decline, the name has remained relatively steady in recent years, with around 150-200 births per year between 2008 and 2022.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Beverly has ebbed and flowed over time, it remains a popular choice for parents in the United States today.