What Does the Name Earl Mean?
Earl is a boy's name of English origin meaning “nobleman, warrior.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Earl |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English |
| Meaning | nobleman, warrior |
| Variants | Earle, Erle, Earld |
| Popularity | Peaked in popularity in the United States in the early 20th century; now rare and considered old-fashioned. |
The meaning and origin of Earl
The name Earl means “nobleman, warrior” and has English origins. From the English aristocratic title 'earl', derived from Old English 'eorl' meaning nobleman or warrior. It came into use as a given name in the 19th century, mainly in the United States.
Variants and related names
Earl is related to several other names you may recognize: Earle, Erle, Earld. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Earl?
Peaked in popularity in the United States in the early 20th century; now rare and considered old-fashioned.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Earl mean?+
The name Earl means “nobleman, warrior” and is of English origin.
What is the origin of the name Earl?+
Earl originates from English.
Is Earl a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Earl has trended in the US over time.
Earl by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press