Skip to main content
 
Namesake

A name chosen, not stumbled upon.

Explore
  • All Names
  • Celtic Names
  • Norse Names
  • Rising Names
  • Gender-Neutral Names
More lists
  • Name Collections
  • Hebrew & Biblical
  • Nature Names
  • Literary Names
  • Rare & Beautiful
  • Classic Names
Guides
  • How to Choose a Name
  • Baby Name Checklist
  • Partner Disagreement
  • Popularity Data
  • Pronunciation Test

Made with love for growing families.

PrivacyTermsContactOur storyHow it works

© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Cheryl — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Cherry|Cherysh
FrenchGirl↑↑ Surging

Cheryl

CHER-ul · 2 syllables

Share Cheryl:
Compare with another name
Girl
#3970
↑↑ Surging
#3970
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 16
Peak rank
#3350 in 2021
5yr change
+506 ranks
Birth frequency
1.0 per 100,000 births
Sex split
0% boy · 100% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #3970 · Rising since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
French girl names
Cheryl

Popularity score: 16  ·  SSA Rank: #3970

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
84
Higher than 84% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑↑ Surging
+506 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
8 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Cheryl is surging in popularity right now.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
88
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
VintageRomanticGirl2-syllableMid-CenturyFrench-originClassicPeaked 1960s-1980sDecliningFeminine
Character
warm compassiondependable strengthgraceful confidencegenuine kindnesssteady resilience
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Cheryls

charismaticresilientglamorousprofessionaliconic
STRONG
High confidence

Cheryl is a French girl name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #3970 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑↑ Surging · +506 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#3970 · very rare
Cheryl at a Glance
Meaning:From French Chérie meaning 'beloved,' or a diminutive of Charity. Popular as an English given name from the 1930s onward.
Language root:French · Old English
Peak rank:#3350 in 2021
5yr change:+506 ranks
Sex usage:0% boy · 100% girl
Notable bearers
Cheryl Cole
Singer
Cheryl Ladd
Actress
Similar Sound
SherylMerylBerylCarolCherie
Similar Style
DonnaSandraBeverlyDeborahPatriciaSheila
Works well with
LindaSusanKaren◈NancyPatriciaDianaBarbaraJanet
You Might Also Like
Donna
Latin · #1941
↑ Rising
Sandra
Latin · #1045
→ Stable
Beverly
English · #1046
↑↑ Surging
Deborah
Hebrew · #852
↑↑ Surging
Patricia
Latin · #1302
↓ Fading
Sheila
Celtic · #2024
↓ Declining
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Cheryl · Overview
Summary

Cheryl is a French girl name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #3970 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 5/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Cheryl scores 84/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Surging fast
Rank has moved 506 positions in the last year. Exceptional momentum.
Vintage · Romantic character
Cheryl carries a warm, soft quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Rising very fast
Cheryl is surging. If the trend continues, it may become significantly more common within 2-3 years.
Domain taken
cheryl.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
Namesake
Name WizardName CollectionsAll NamesName CascadeBaby ShowerMy Name List

Still deciding?

Every naming product helps you find names. Namesake is the only one built to help you choose one.

Score what matters to you. Run names head-to-head. Arrive at the one name you can both explain and defend.

Start the Name Wizard →