Jarle as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Jarle

What is the meaning of the name Jarle ?

The baby name Jarle is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈjɑːrlə/ (YAHR-leh).

Jarle is Norse, Norwegian in Origin.

Jarle is a masculine Norwegian given name rooted in Old Norse jarl, meaning “earl, nobleman, chieftain.” The term traces back to Proto-Germanic *erlaz, the same source as English Earl, making Earl a semantic cognate rather than a direct variant. The -e ending reflects a common Norwegian name formation, turning the ancient title into a personable given name while preserving its sense of rank and dignity.

Use as a first name rose in Norway during the 20th century amid renewed interest in Norse heritage, with particular popularity in the mid-century and steady, quieter presence today. The closest variant is Jarl (Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic). Rare feminine or extended forms include Jarla and Jarlfrid, while compound names such as Jarleif appear in Scandinavian tradition. Related names by meaning include Earl; by theme, Erling (“descendant of a jarl”) echoes the same aristocratic milieu.