Nameberry of the Day: Pearl
March 29
American actress Pearl Mae Bailey was born on March 29, 1918, in Newport News, Virginia.
She started her career in the 1930s, singing and dancing in nightclubs in Philadelphia, and during WWII, she toured with USO and performed for American troops.
Bailey made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She would go on to receive a Special Tony Award in 1968 for her performance in the title role of the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! In 1971, Bailey hosted her own variety show, The Pearl Bailey Show, which was broadcast on ABC.
Later in life, Bailey authored several books including two autobiographies, a cookbook, and a memoir.
The name Pearl has been used in the English-speaking world since the 19th century, and comes from the gemstone of the same name. It ranked in the US Top 100 from 1880-1926, before steadily declining in use and dropping out of the top 1000 in 1977. Recently, in the wave of vintage nature name revivals, it has seen some use again, reaching #755 in 2022.
As a word, Pearl comes from the Late Latin perla. It refers to deposits found in mollusk shells, and while pearls are known for their glossy white hue and round shape, they can come in a variety of colors and forms.
The pearl is the birthstone associated with June, making Pearl a perfect choice for a summer baby or as an honor name for a June birthday.
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