A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Loel since 1916
Babies named Loel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 51 |
| 1930s | 47 |
| 1940s | 50 |
| 1950s | 74 |
| 1960s | 38 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Loel first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1916, a time when many rare names emerged. Its peak year was 1921, though it never entered widespread use. After decades of obscurity, the name has shown a slight upward trajectory since 2022, possibly reflecting a revival of early 20th-century names. Loel remains a unique choice, with no top states recorded, making it truly uncommon nationwide. Its revival in the 2020s suggests it may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name with historical roots.
Loel is probably a variant of the surname Lowell, which derives from the Anglo-Norman French 'lou' (wolf) and the diminutive suffix '-el', originally a nickname meaning 'little wolf'. The name Lowell itself gained usage as a given name in honor of the American poet James Russell Lowell. Loel appears as a rare given name in the early 20th century, perhaps influenced by the surname or as a creative respelling.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Lowell
Sibling names for Loel
Names that share Loel's style, for a brother or sister.
