Rising since 2008, #4,172 for girls today.
Popularity of Chapel since 1996
Babies named Chapel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 15 | 0 |
| 2000s | 28 | 15 |
| 2010s | 126 | 40 |
| 2020s | 114 | 113 |
Meaning & origin
Chapel entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1996, and in 2025 it reached its peak rank of #4172 (first recorded top rank). It is currently given to about 1 in 47,273 newborns, a rate that has been climbing since 2008. The name is most popular in Tennessee and Georgia, reflecting a Southern and religiously inspired trend. As a word-name, Chapel shares the subdued, spiritual quality of names like Grace and Faith, and its gentle sound appeals to parents seeking a distinct yet meaningful choice.
Chapel derives from the Old French 'chapele', itself from Late Latin 'cappella', meaning a sanctuary containing the cloak (cappa) of Saint Martin. As a given name, it is a modern English word-name, first appearing on U.S. birth certificates in the late 20th century and gaining modest traction since the 2000s.
Where Chapel is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chap, Chappy, Ellie
Sibling names for Chapel
Names that share Chapel's style, for a brother or sister.
