Holding steady.
Popularity of Cottrell since 1918
Babies named Cottrell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 30 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 20 |
| 1950s | 26 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 18 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Cottrell is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1918, during a period when surnames were increasingly adopted as first names. It reached its peak popularity in 1922, though even then the number of births was very small. According to the most recent data from 2025, the name has a one-in-N of null, meaning no births were recorded that year. Its trajectory has been described as stable, with no significant revival in recent decades. The name did not appear in any top states, indicating its use was scattered. Cottrell remains a distinctive choice with strong surname roots, appealing to parents seeking an uncommon name with historical depth.
Cottrell is primarily a surname transferred to given name use. It likely derives from the English surname Cotterell, a diminutive of 'cotter', meaning a peasant or cottager who lived in a cottage. The surname is first recorded in the 13th century, and the given name saw modest use in the early 20th century, peaking in 1922. Its use as a first name has remained rare but stable.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cott, Relly
Variants: Cotterell, Cottrill
Sibling names for Cottrell
Names that share Cottrell's style, for a brother or sister.
