Declining since 1985, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Carnell since 1897
Babies named Carnell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carnell's real moment was 1975.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 71 | 107 |
| 1920s | 154 | 248 |
| 1930s | 97 | 295 |
| 1940s | 82 | 421 |
| 1950s | 90 | 734 |
| 1960s | 52 | 573 |
| 1970s | 0 | 588 |
| 1980s | 0 | 511 |
| 1990s | 0 | 400 |
| 2000s | 0 | 396 |
| 2010s | 0 | 278 |
| 2020s | 0 | 62 |
Meaning & origin
Carnell is a rare American given name with uncertain origins, possibly a variant of Cornell or an elaboration of Carl. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1897, but never broke into the top 1000. Its peak year came in 1975, when it reached its highest level of usage. Since 1985, the name has been on a declining trajectory, becoming increasingly uncommon. In 2025, the name ranked 7679 with about 1 in 170,808 boys receiving it. No U.S. state showed a particular concentration for Carnell. Despite its rarity, the name has a familiar sound and fits with other -ell and -nell names popular in the mid-20th century.
Carnell is of uncertain origin. It may be an altered form of Cornell, which originated as a surname from a French place name (Cornell) or from Cornwell (meaning 'Cornwall'). Alternatively, it could be a variant of Carl combined with the popular suffix -nell. The name has been in use in the United States since the late 19th century, with a peak in popularity during the 1970s.
Where Carnell is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carney, Nell
Variants: Cornell
Sibling names for Carnell
Names that share Carnell's style, for a brother or sister.
