How Many People Are Named Ethel?
Complete statistics for the name Ethel: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Ethel means 'noble' and has a classic charm, making it rare today. Only 1 in 8,884 Americans are named Ethel, with around 37,147 living people bearing this name. The majority, 99%, are over 60, giving it an older-generation feel.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 5 are adaptable and adventurous.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 107All 279,747 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1918Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Ethel Through the Generations
Ethel reached its peak popularity in 1918 with 8,110 births, reflecting the era's naming trends. Today, it's considered rare, with just 37,147 people named Ethel living in the US. The age distribution shows a significant skew towards older generations, with 275,637 individuals over 60, compared to 571 under 30 and 3,539 aged 30-60. This classic name is experiencing a slight resurgence, bringing back memories of a bygone era.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Ethel
Ethel is an Old English word meaning "noble", today often used as a feminine given name.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Ethel's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Ethel
How Many People Have the Name Ethel?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 37,147 people in the United States currently share the name Ethel. That works out to roughly 1 in every 8,884 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Ethel a Common or Rare Name?
Ethel is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Ethel Mean?
Ethel means "noble" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Ethel in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Ethel Most Popular?
The name Ethel reached peak popularity in 1918, with 8,110 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Ethel?
Approximately 37,147 people named Ethel live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 279,747. That works out to roughly 1 in 8,884 Americans.
Is Ethel a rare name?
Ethel is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 8,884 Americans has this name.
What does the name Ethel mean?
Ethel means "noble" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Ethel more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Ethel are male and 100% are female.
When was Ethel most popular?
Ethel peaked in 1918 with 8,110 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.