Holding steady.
Popularity of Majel since 1901
Babies named Majel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Majel's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 90 |
| 1920s | 137 |
| 1930s | 54 |
| 1940s | 28 |
| 1950s | 25 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Majel is a rare given name that first appeared in recorded U.S. data in 1901, ranking among the least common names of that year. Its peak usage occurred in 1901, and it has seen only sporadic use since then, remaining outside the top 1000 names. The name may be a diminutive or variant of Mabel, which has Latin roots meaning "lovable." Despite its obscurity, Majel possesses a gentle, vintage quality that could appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive name. Its trajectory over the decades has been stable, with no significant peaks or declines, and it has no association with any particular state or region.
Majel is a rare name that first appeared in the early 20th century, recorded in the United States as early as 1901. It is likely a variant of Mabel, which derives from Latin amabilis, meaning "lovable." Another possibility is that it is a combination of Mary and the popular -el suffix, as seen in names like Joelle and Rachel. The name has not gained widespread use but has seen occasional revival interest.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Maj, Maggie
Sibling names for Majel
Names that share Majel's style, for a brother or sister.
