Cherly, of Germanic origin, is a name that has been used since medieval times. It was originally derived from the Old German word 'cherle', which means 'famous' or 'strong'. This name gained popularity during the Middle Ages and was often given to both males and females. In some cases, Cherly was also associated with the Germanic word for 'spear'. Over time, the use of Cherly as a given name has become less common, but it continues to be recognized as an historical name with a strong meaning.
The name Cheryl experienced popularity fluctuations over the years, with peaks in the mid-1950s and late 1960s to early 1970s, but has since become less common.