How Many People Are Named Nell?
Complete statistics for the name Nell: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Nell, a very rare female name, is held by just 5,812 people in the US today, making up 1 in 56,779 Americans. The majority of those named Nell are over 60, reflecting its status as a classic, old-school name.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 7 symbolizes introspection, wisdom, and spiritual growth.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 98All 27,504 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: 1917Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Nell Through the Generations
Nell reached its peak popularity in 1917 with 766 births, but since then, its usage has been on a steady decline until recently, when it started showing signs of revival. Today, the name is predominantly associated with older generations, with 91% of people named Nell being over 60 years old. This age skew paints a picture of a name that was once widely embraced but now carries a sense of nostalgia and tradition.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Nell's Old French roots
📄 About the Name Nell
How Many People Have the Name Nell?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 2,030 people in the United States currently share the name Nell. That works out to roughly 1 in every 163,276 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Nell a Common or Rare Name?
Nell is classified as Very 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 Nell Mean?
Nell means "diminutive of Eleanor" and comes from Old French origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Nell in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Nell Most Popular?
The name Nell reached peak popularity in 1917, with 766 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 Nell?
Approximately 2,030 people named Nell live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 2,030. That works out to roughly 1 in 163,276 Americans.
Is Nell a rare name?
Nell is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 163,276 Americans has this name.
What does the name Nell mean?
Nell means "diminutive of Eleanor" and comes from Old French origins.
Is Nell more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Nell are male and 100% are female.
When was Nell most popular?
Nell peaked in 1917 with 766 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.