Names That Mean Pearl

Rare and rhythmic.

Perlie, along with Pearlie and Purlie, was one of the 21 names identified by Lisa D. Cook and colleagues in their landmark study on distinctively Black names from history.

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza is popularizing this one.

While we would think of Pearlie as a girlish pet form of Pearl today, it was a unisex name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among males, it was disproportionately used among African Americans.

Old-fashioned enough to the American ear that literally no baby girls received the name in the US in the most recent year counted. Though might Pessa provide a more unique spin on Tessa? It certainly has a lovely meaning, one shared with Margaret.

This rare literary name appears in Gottfried Keller's 1855 novel Der grüne Heinrich (Green Henry). Fiesty and beautiful Meretlein lived in the woods and was constantly causing trouble. Ultimately, she died an early death.

So many short forms of Margaret, from Peggy all the way through Maggie and Megan, are outdated now that Mago has value simply by being undiscovered. But still, not very appealing.

A beautiful, nature inspired Arabic name, with a melodic sound and a stylish Lu- beginning that would work across multiple languages.

Pronounced just like Maggie, this In all its forms, one of the most classic Scottish name for girls is rarely heard outside its native land.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Purlie was a distinctively Black name used primarily among baby boys. Purlie, along with alternate spellings Pearlie and Perlie, is virtually unheard of today.

Definitely one of the more unusual Margaret translations.

This obscure Margaret variation was a popular name in medieval Scotland and could make a truly distinctive, feminine choice today.

Variant of Margalit, Margarita, Margaret et al.

The Danish and Norwegian form of the classic Margaret and the name of the reigning Queen of Denmark, who has been on the throne since 1972.

Welsh form of Margaret, borne by Mererid Hopwood, the first female poet to win the chair at the National Eisteddfod.

Icelandic form of Margaret, currently in the Top 50 girl names there.

This name of Polish supermodel Malgosia Bela doesn't sound so bella here--has a bit of an evil witch quality.

A pretty and musical Arabic name, with a nature and gemstone inspired meaning, this form is shorter form may appeal to those who find the similar option of Luluah too frilly.

A jewel-encrusted choice, far more unusual than Pearl.

A lovely variation of classic Margaret, worn by two Olympic medal winners — Marharyta Makhneva and Marharyta Dorozhon.