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Jarl as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Jarl

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The baby name Jarl is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /jɑrl/; respelling: YARL (initial 'y' sound, rhymes with 'Carl').

Jarl is Norse in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 1.0
Origin: Norse
Pronunciation: IPA: /jɑrl/; respelling: YARL (initial 'y' sound, rhymes with 'Carl')

What is the meaning of the name Jarl ?

The baby name Jarl is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /jɑrl/; respelling: YARL (initial 'y' sound, rhymes with 'Carl').

Jarl is Norse in Origin.

Jarl is a Scandinavian male given name drawn directly from Old Norse jarl, the title for a high-ranking chieftain, an earl or noble leader. Cognate with Old English eorl (source of English Earl), it ultimately traces to Proto-Germanic *erlaz, meaning "free/noble man." In modern Nordic languages, the initial J is pronounced like English Y, so Jarl sounds roughly like "yarl." The name carries connotations of leadership, status, and martial prowess rooted in Viking Age society.

Used as a title in sagas and chronicles (e.g., Birger Jarl), Jarl surfaced as a given name in the 19th to 20th centuries during Nordic national romanticism and is modestly used in Sweden and Norway, rarer elsewhere. Variants and related forms include Jarle (Norwegian), the rare feminine Jarla, compound forms such as Jarl-Erik and Jarl-Ove, and the English counterpart Earl. Diminutives are uncommon, though short forms may follow regional nicknaming patterns.

Jarl has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Jarl

Jarl Kulle Actor · Born 1927 · Sweden Jarl Kulle was a Swedish actor and director best known for his film and stage work, especially in Att Angöra en Brygga, Smiles of a Summer Night, and Fanny and Alexander. He was born in Truedstorp outside Ekeby, Sweden, and was the son of merchant Nils Kulle and Mia Bergendahl; he was also the father of actress Maria Kulle.

Jarl – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
EE Boys 0 #125 1 2,087
Norway Boys 2024 #133 4 437
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
Sweden Boys 2022 #178 5 1,509
DK 0 #200 7 5,198
PL 0 #212 1 2,600
PS 0 #226 1 5,692
DK Boys 0 #291 35 7,401
PL Boys 0 #340 1 6,459
Finland Boys 2026 #346 555 3,552
HK 0 #357 1 8,483
Finland Boys 0 #406 22 2,041
PH Boys 0 #408 1 11,440
GT Boys 0 #498 2 7,625
CR Boys 0 #510 1 10,188
RU Boys 0 #526 1 12,621
HK Boys 0 #557 1 12,905
HK Girls 0 #650 1 16,104
CL Boys 0 #698 3 13,390
SG Boys 0 #736 4 17,960
BR Boys 0 #785 1 12,213
NL Boys 0 #904 48 5,873
PE Boys 0 #924 3 14,506
CO Boys 0 #979 3 15,656
BR Girls 0 #992 1 12,708
NG Boys 0 #1,001 1 16,906
MX Boys 0 #1,028 6 16,355
MY Boys 0 #1,176 7 25,439
DZ 0 #1,233 2 20,130
TR 0 #1,254 1 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,267 1 17,781
ZA Boys 0 #1,272 1 25,619

Jarl is popular in 25 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
Sweden
BN
BR
CL

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People also ask about Jarl

Jarl is predominantly a boy's name.
Jarl is a one syllable name, pronounced IPA: /jɑrl/; respelling: YARL (initial 'y' sound, rhymes with 'Carl').
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Jarle.
Across languages, Jarl has these equivalents: Earl (English), Eorl (Old English).
Yes — Jarl ranked #133 in Norway in 2024, and appears in official birth registries across 3 countries.
Jarl ranks highest in Norway (#133 in 2024).
Jarl's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #133 in 2014 to #133 in 2024 in Norway.
Yes — 1 notable people named Jarl are in our database, including Jarl Kulle (Actor).