Pearl Mai

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Pearl Mai — pearl
146K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Pearl Mai is a name that combines English origins. The first name Pearl is a feminine given name of English origin. Pearl is a unisex given name derived from the English word pearl, a hard, roundish object produced within the soft tissue of a living, shelled mollusk. Pearls are commonly used in jewelry-making. The name has a history of usage among Jews. Pearl is used as an Anglicization of the Yiddish name Perle. Pearl is also a common Jewish surname. Usage of the name for girls may also have been inspired by the name Margaret, which means "pearl". Pearl came into wider popular use in the Anglosphere along with other gemstone names used for girls during the late Victorian Era. The surname Mai: Mài is a Chinese surname. It is commonly transliterated as Mak in Hong Kong, based on the Cantonese pronunciation, though other transliterations exist. "麥" is the standard character in both Traditional and Simplified scripts but 麦 is also a variant seen in both. The meaning of the Chinese character is either wheat or barley. According to a 2013 study, 麥 was the 200th most common surname, shared by 550,000 people or 0.041% of China's population, with Guangdong being the province with the most. Pearl is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 146K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Pearl reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Pearl

Meaning: pearl

English

Pearl is a unisex given name derived from the English word pearl, a hard, roundish object produced within the soft tissue of a living, shelled mollusk. Pearls are commonly used in jewelry-making. The name has a history of usage among Jews. Pearl is used as an Anglicization of the Yiddish name Perle. Pearl is also a common Jewish surname. Usage of the name for girls may also have been inspired by the name Margaret, which means "pearl". Pearl came into wider popular use in the Anglosphere along with other gemstone names used for girls during the late Victorian Era.

Surname: Mai

Vietnamese

Mài is a Chinese surname. It is commonly transliterated as Mak in Hong Kong, based on the Cantonese pronunciation, though other transliterations exist. "麥" is the standard character in both Traditional and Simplified scripts but 麦 is also a variant seen in both. The meaning of the Chinese character is either wheat or barley. According to a 2013 study, 麥 was the 200th most common surname, shared by 550,000 people or 0.041% of China's population, with Guangdong being the province with the most.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Pearl is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Pearl by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Pearl Mai

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Pearl Mai:

3
Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

7
Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Pearl?
The first name Pearl originates from English. Pearl is a unisex given name derived from the English word pearl, a hard, roundish object produced within the soft tissue of a living, shelled mollusk. Pearls are commonly used in jewelry-making. The name has a history of usage among Jews. Pearl is used as an Anglicization of the Yiddish name Perle. Pearl is also a common Jewish surname. Usage of the name for girls may also have been inspired by the name Margaret, which means "pearl". Pearl came into wider popular use in the Anglosphere along with other gemstone names used for girls during the late Victorian Era.
When was Pearl most popular?
The name Pearl reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Mai?
The surname Mai originates from Vietnamese. Mài is a Chinese surname. It is commonly transliterated as Mak in Hong Kong, based on the Cantonese pronunciation, though other transliterations exist. "麥" is the standard character in both Traditional and Simplified scripts but 麦 is also a variant seen in both. The meaning of the Chinese character is either wheat or barley. According to a 2013 study, 麥 was the 200th most common surname, shared by 550,000 people or 0.041% of China's population, with Guangdong being the province with the most.
What are the origins of the name Pearl Mai?
The name Pearl Mai combines two different traditions: the first name Pearl has English roots, while the surname Mai originates from Vietnamese.
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