The name Beverly evokes a sense of timeless elegance. If you’re considering Beverly for your little one, let’s explore its meaning, popularity, and related names.
Meaning and Origin
Beverly is an English name derived from a surname. It originates from a place name, specifically "Beverley" in East Yorkshire, England. The name combines the Old English words "beofor" (beaver) and "leah" (wood, clearing, or meadow), signifying a "beaver stream" or "beaver meadow." This connection to nature gives Beverly a grounded and wholesome feel.
Beverly Name Popularity
How popular is the name Beverly? Here’s a look at its historical trends in the United States, based on data from the Social Security Administration (SSA):
The table below showcases the rank, number of births, and percentage of births for the name Beverly in the United States from 1910 to 2023.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 670 | 12 | 0.0034% |
| 1911 | 695 | 12 | 0.0032% |
| 1912 | 529 | 46 | 0.0091% |
| 1913 | 594 | 39 | 0.0069% |
| 1914 | 508 | 81 | 0.0116% |
| 1915 | 344 | 259 | 0.0285% |
| 1916 | 270 | 459 | 0.0475% |
| 1917 | 246 | 610 | 0.061% |
| 1918 | 239 | 675 | 0.0629% |
| 1919 | 240 | 668 | 0.0638% |
| 1920 | 205 | 918 | 0.0826% |
| 1921 | 185 | 1,140 | 0.0996% |
| 1922 | 164 | 1,384 | 0.1242% |
| 1923 | 144 | 1,721 | 0.1537% |
| 1924 | 121 | 2,265 | 0.195% |
| 1925 | 105 | 2,653 | 0.2347% |
| 1926 | 74 | 3,768 | 0.3426% |
| 1927 | 57 | 4,928 | 0.4452% |
| 1928 | 46 | 5,430 | 0.5075% |
| 1929 | 39 | 5,854 | 0.5652% |
| 1930 | 34 | 6,456 | 0.618% |
| 1931 | 31 | 6,786 | 0.6876% |
| 1932 | 28 | 7,525 | 0.7617% |
| 1933 | 26 | 7,185 | 0.7712% |
| 1934 | 22 | 7,884 | 0.8156% |
| 1935 | 20 | 7,990 | 0.8222% |
| 1936 | 17 | 8,896 | 0.9235% |
| 1937 | 14 | 9,629 | 0.9772% |
| 1938 | 18 | 9,770 | 0.9544% |
| 1939 | 25 | 8,696 | 0.8549% |
| 1940 | 27 | 8,654 | 0.8142% |
| 1941 | 29 | 8,725 | 0.7752% |
| 1942 | 32 | 9,407 | 0.745% |
| 1943 | 32 | 9,429 | 0.7223% |
| 1944 | 35 | 8,292 | 0.6691% |
| 1945 | 37 | 7,616 | 0.6245% |
| 1946 | 30 | 10,426 | 0.7066% |
| 1947 | 31 | 11,207 | 0.6714% |
| 1948 | 31 | 10,793 | 0.6761% |
| 1949 | 31 | 10,555 | 0.6561% |
| 1950 | 31 | 10,500 | 0.6521% |
| 1951 | 33 | 10,857 | 0.6403% |
| 1952 | 35 | 10,550 | 0.6044% |
| 1953 | 34 | 11,233 | 0.6347% |
| 1954 | 31 | 11,160 | 0.6105% |
| 1955 | 34 | 9,994 | 0.5433% |
| 1956 | 40 | 9,452 | 0.5004% |
| 1957 | 48 | 8,552 | 0.4444% |
| 1958 | 55 | 7,685 | 0.4066% |
| 1959 | 55 | 7,791 | 0.4101% |
| 1960 | 60 | 7,388 | 0.3899% |
| 1961 | 66 | 6,699 | 0.3548% |
| 1962 | 70 | 6,263 | 0.3411% |
| 1963 | 81 | 5,282 | 0.2943% |
| 1964 | 91 | 4,597 | 0.2612% |
| 1965 | 101 | 3,772 | 0.2307% |
| 1966 | 109 | 3,214 | 0.2059% |
| 1967 | 112 | 2,989 | 0.197% |
| 1968 | 123 | 2,570 | 0.1712% |
| 1969 | 141 | 2,387 | 0.1549% |
| 1970 | 150 | 2,233 | 0.1403% |
| 1971 | 160 | 1,966 | 0.1308% |
| 1972 | 184 | 1,546 | 0.1135% |
| 1973 | 192 | 1,313 | 0.1013% |
| 1974 | 206 | 1,187 | 0.0913% |
| 1975 | 244 | 986 | 0.0767% |
| 1976 | 252 | 913 | 0.0708% |
| 1977 | 278 | 829 | 0.0615% |
| 1978 | 282 | 795 | 0.0591% |
| 1979 | 338 | 665 | 0.0472% |
| 1980 | 340 | 673 | 0.046% |
| 1981 | 346 | 637 | 0.0433% |
| 1982 | 378 | 566 | 0.0379% |
| 1983 | 385 | 539 | 0.0365% |
| 1984 | 402 | 487 | 0.0327% |
| 1985 | 453 | 440 | 0.029% |
| 1986 | 475 | 405 | 0.0268% |
| 1987 | 481 | 406 | 0.0266% |
| 1988 | 493 | 418 | 0.0268% |
| 1989 | 535 | 390 | 0.0242% |
| 1990 | 529 | 405 | 0.0244% |
| 1991 | 540 | 384 | 0.0236% |
| 1992 | 524 | 413 | 0.0259% |
| 1993 | 588 | 359 | 0.023% |
| 1994 | 634 | 299 | 0.0195% |
| 1995 | 729 | 234 | 0.0155% |
| 1996 | 774 | 220 | 0.0147% |
| 1997 | 831 | 198 | 0.0134% |
| 1998 | 1015 | 146 | 0.0098% |
| 1999 | 987 | 157 | 0.0105% |
| 2000 | 1123 | 128 | 0.0084% |
| 2001 | 1107 | 136 | 0.009% |
| 2002 | 1167 | 122 | 0.0081% |
| 2003 | 1214 | 117 | 0.0077% |
| 2004 | 1133 | 144 | 0.0094% |
| 2005 | 1431 | 88 | 0.0058% |
| 2006 | 1309 | 116 | 0.0074% |
| 2007 | 1441 | 98 | 0.0062% |
| 2008 | 1354 | 113 | 0.0073% |
| 2009 | 1542 | 80 | 0.0054% |
| 2010 | 1950 | 40 | 0.0028% |
| 2011 | 1580 | 69 | 0.0048% |
| 2012 | 1508 | 77 | 0.0054% |
| 2013 | 1392 | 90 | 0.0063% |
| 2014 | 1429 | 83 | 0.0057% |
| 2015 | 1316 | 104 | 0.0071% |
| 2016 | 1407 | 88 | 0.0061% |
| 2017 | 1354 | 90 | 0.0064% |
| 2018 | 1264 | 102 | 0.0074% |
| 2019 | 1311 | 96 | 0.0071% |
| 2020 | 1383 | 103 | 0.0081% |
| 2021 | 1258 | 119 | 0.0097% |
| 2022 | 1210 | 146 | 0.0111% |
| 2023 | 1177 | 151 | 0.0117% |
- Peak Popularity: The name reached its peak popularity in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, consistently ranking among the top 50 names for girls. In 1937, it achieved its highest rank at #14.
- Decline: Since the 1960s, the name has gradually declined in popularity.
- Recent Trends: In recent years, Beverly has remained a relatively uncommon name. In 2023, it ranked #1177 with 151 births.
The name Beverly experienced a surge in popularity from the early 20th century, peaking in the mid-20th century before gradually declining. While not as common today, its classic charm may appeal to parents seeking a vintage-inspired name.
Names Like Beverly (Variants)
If you appreciate the sound and style of Beverly, consider these variations:
- Bev
- Bevalee
- Beverle
- Beverlee
- Beverley
- Beverlie
- Beverlye
- Bevie
- Bevlyn
- Bevverlie
- Bevverly
- Bevvy
Similar Names (Sound and Style)
- Buffy
- Lee
- Verlee
- Verlie
- Verly
- Verlye
These names share a similar vintage feel and sound to Beverly, offering alternative options with slightly different origins or nuances.
Famous Beverlys
- Beverly Cleary, a beloved American children’s book author
- Beverly Sills, an American operatic soprano
- Beverly D’Angelo, an American actress
Conclusion
Beverly is a classic and elegant name with English origins, meaning "beaver stream" or "beaver meadow." While its popularity has waned since its peak in the mid-20th century, it remains a sophisticated choice for parents seeking a vintage-inspired name with a connection to nature.