Holding steady.
Popularity of Ancel since 1883
Babies named Ancel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ancel's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 16 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 17 |
| 1910s | 145 |
| 1920s | 167 |
| 1930s | 119 |
| 1940s | 97 |
| 1950s | 48 |
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name Ancel, first recorded in the United States in 1883, reached its peak usage in 1884, the year it was most frequently given to newborn boys. After a brief appearance in the 1880s, the name faded from common use. According to Social Security data, it has not ranked among the top 1000 names for any year since the 1880s. In 2025, the name was still recorded but with very few instances, meaning a 1-in-N ratio cannot be reliably calculated. Ancel has never been concentrated in any particular state, and its trajectory has been stable at low usage. This makes it a rare choice, likely appealing to parents seeking an obscure historical name with a straightforward pronunciation.
The name Ancel is of uncertain origin, likely a medieval English diminutive or variant of Ansel, which itself derives from the Germanic elements 'ans' (god) and 'helm' (helmet) via the Old French Anselme. However, it may also be a pet form of names such as Andrew or Anthony. Recorded in the United States since the late 19th century, it has seen sporadic use, peaking briefly in the 1880s.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Ancel
Names that share Ancel's style, for a brother or sister.
