Earl - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's name Earl \e(a)-rl\ is pronounced erl. It is of Old English origin, and its meaning is "nobleman, leader". Name based on the English title, which is the oldest title in the aristocracy. Author Erle Stanley Gardner; actor Errol Flynn; basketball star Earl ("the Pearl") Monroe; musician Earl Scruggs; Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court Earl Warren.

Earl has 9 variant forms: Earle, Earlie, Early, Erl, Erle, Errol, Erroll, Erryl and Rollo.

For more information, see also related names Barnett, Baron, Jarl, King and Lord.

Baby names that sound like Earl are Erly, Earley, Jaryl and Jarel.

Earl is a very popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Earl. Click here to compare Earl with related baby names.