Declining since 1990, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Chantal since 1947
Babies named Chantal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 36 |
| 1950s | 140 |
| 1960s | 609 |
| 1970s | 937 |
| 1980s | 2,183 |
| 1990s | 2,739 |
| 2000s | 1,283 |
| 2010s | 420 |
| 2020s | 122 |
Meaning & origin
Chantal is a French girl's name that peaked in popularity in 1990, ranking 6,116 in 2025. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1947, and since 1990 its usage has been falling. With approximately 1 in 84,593 girls receiving the name in recent years, it remains a recognizable but uncommon choice. While its top states are not specified in the data, its French heritage and association with Saint Jeanne de Chantal give it a classic European feel. Parents today may be drawn to its elegant sound and historical religious roots.
Chantal originated as a French surname derived from the Occitan word 'cantal' meaning 'stone' or 'rocky place'. It was popularized as a given name through Saint Jeanne de Chantal (1572-1641), co-founder of the Order of the Visitation. The name became widely used in French-speaking countries and gained international popularity in the mid-20th century.
Where Chantal is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Chantal” around the world
Where Chantal lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chanty, Chantie, Chantalle
Sibling names for Chantal
Names that share Chantal's style, for a brother or sister.
