Holding steady.
Popularity of Burrell since 1881
Babies named Burrell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Burrell's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 37 |
| 1890s | 47 |
| 1900s | 52 |
| 1910s | 235 |
| 1920s | 301 |
| 1930s | 257 |
| 1940s | 200 |
| 1950s | 132 |
| 1960s | 93 |
| 1970s | 57 |
| 1980s | 31 |
| 1990s | 27 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Burrell is a rare given name with origins as an English surname, first recorded in U.S. data in 1881. Its peak year was 1899, when it was used modestly but never ranked among the top names. The name's trajectory has been stable over the decades, with extremely low usage in recent years; for 2025, there were not enough occurrences to calculate a 1-in-N figure, reflecting fewer than 5 births. Historically, Burrell was most common in the 1890s, though it was never concentrated in particular states. As a surname-turned-first-name, it carries an old-fashioned, rural character that may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive family name. Its possible connection to a reddish complexion or coarse cloth gives it a grounded, earthy quality, but its etymology remains uncertain.
Burrell is primarily an English surname transferred to given name use. The surname likely originated as a nickname from Middle English 'burel' or 'borrel', meaning 'reddish brown' or 'coarse cloth', possibly referring to a person's complexion or occupation. As a given name, it has seen limited but consistent use since the 19th century, particularly in the United States with a peak in 1899.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Burr, Burl
Sibling names for Burrell
Names that share Burrell's style, for a brother or sister.
