Holding steady.
Popularity of Barnell since 1918
Babies named Barnell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Barnell's real moment was 1927.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 12 |
| 1930s | 6 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 23 |
| 1950s | 0 | 35 |
| 1960s | 0 | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 11 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Barnell is a rare given name that appears to have emerged in the early 20th century, with its first recorded year being 1918. The name reached its peak of modest use in 1927, before declining sharply. It has never been a common name; the Social Security data shows that in its peak year, it still ranked outside the top 1000 names. Since then, its trajectory has been stable but at very low levels, with virtually no modern usage. The name's origins are uncertain, likely a transferred surname or a variant of Bernard. Given its obscurity, Barnell is a highly distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with early 20th-century Americana flavor, but without any significant cultural or religious associations.
Barnell is a rare given name that likely originated as a surname. It may be a variant of Bernard, which derives from the Germanic elements 'ber' (bear) and 'hard' (brave, hardy), but this connection is speculative. Alternatively, it could be a locational surname from a place name. The name saw some use in the early 20th century, peaking in 1927, but has since become very uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Barney
Sibling names for Barnell
Names that share Barnell's style, for a brother or sister.
