Holding steady.
Popularity of Lanell since 1914
Babies named Lanell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lanell's real moment was 1939.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 53 | 0 |
| 1920s | 211 | 0 |
| 1930s | 339 | 0 |
| 1940s | 339 | 0 |
| 1950s | 371 | 16 |
| 1960s | 302 | 42 |
| 1970s | 248 | 90 |
| 1980s | 131 | 58 |
| 1990s | 73 | 57 |
| 2000s | 41 | 68 |
| 2010s | 10 | 23 |
| 2020s | 6 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Lanell is a rare unisex name that saw its most notable popularity in the United States during the 1930s, peaking in 1939. Its earliest recorded use dates to 1914, but the name never achieved a national rank, remaining a relatively uncommon choice. The trajectory of its usage has been stable at very low numbers since mid-century, with no significant revival in recent decades. Lanell is not associated with any particular state or region as a top name, which aligns with its status as a distinctive, infrequently chosen name. Given its combination-style formation, Lanell offers a unique alternative to more familiar names like Lanelle or Janell, while being easy to pronounce and spell.
Lanell appears to be a modern English coinage, likely formed from the name Lan (itself a short form or variant of names like Lancelot or Lane) combined with the common suffix -ell or influenced by the name Nell (a diminutive of Helen or Eleanor). The name was most popular in the 1930s, particularly 1939, suggesting it may have been a regional or familial favorite rather than a nationally widespread choice.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lani, Nell, Laney
Sibling names for Lanell
Names that share Lanell's style, for a brother or sister.
