some first-name Earls of note:

Earl Warren (jurist)
Earl Butz (Sec. of Agriculture)
Earl Scruggs (bluegrass musician)
Earl "Fatha" Hines (jazz pianist)
Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe (athlete)
Earl Weaver (baseball manager)
Earl Slick(!) (guitarist)
Earl Pitts (spy)
Earl Battey (Minnesota Twins baseball player!)