Rising since 1987, #1,837 for boys today.
Popularity of Mendel since 1912
Babies named Mendel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 87 |
| 1920s | 93 |
| 1930s | 71 |
| 1940s | 62 |
| 1950s | 201 |
| 1960s | 103 |
| 1970s | 176 |
| 1980s | 162 |
| 1990s | 285 |
| 2000s | 478 |
| 2010s | 675 |
| 2020s | 549 |
Meaning & origin
Mendel is a name with deep roots in Ashkenazi Jewish culture, derived from the Hebrew Menahem meaning 'comforter'. Historically used as a Yiddish diminutive, it emerged as a standalone given name. In the United States, the name first appeared on records in 1912 and has seen a resurgence since 1987. Its highest popularity to date was in 2024, when it ranked 1837th, with a 2025 incidence of roughly 1 in 19,861 births. The name is notably concentrated in New York, the top state for Mendel. This trajectory reflects a renewed interest in traditional Yiddish names within Orthodox and Hasidic communities.
Mendel is a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew name Menahem, which derives from the root meaning 'to comfort'. It emerged as an independent given name among Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. The name gained some secular recognition through the scientist Gregor Mendel, but its primary use remains within Jewish communities.
Where Mendel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mendel” around the world
Where Mendel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mendy, Meni
Variants: Mendelke, Mendl
Sibling names for Mendel
Names that share Mendel's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Leah, Rivka, Chaya, Faiga, Sora, Baila, Blima, Faigy, Gitty, Hinda, Hindy, Malka, Malky, Rivky, Rochel, Basya, Bayla, Bluma, Breindy, Brocha, Brucha, Fraida, Fraidy, Frimet, Liba, Mazel, Mushka, Perel, Pessy, Rifka, Shaindel, Aidel, Blimi, Blimie, Breindel, Ettel, Faige, Feige, Fradel, Gitel, Raizel, Shterna, Tzippy, Yitta, Zissel, Fruma, Devory, Feiga, Reizel, Yittel
Brothers: Yankel, Shmuel, Berel, Hershel, Zalman, Herschel, Shulem, Yitzchok, Alter, Cheskel, Chesky, Hershy, Leib, Moishe, Nachman, Naftoli, Nosson, Pinchos, Ruvim, Shloma, Shneur, Berish, Dovber, Duvid, Fishel, Leibish, Meilech, Nuchem, Pinchus, Schneur, Yidel, Zalmen, Avrumy, Boruch, Kalmen, Leiby, Nachmen, Nochum, Rubel, Zelig
