Holding steady.
Popularity of Newel since 1913
Babies named Newel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Newel's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 32 |
| 1920s | 80 |
| 1930s | 18 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Newel is a rare given name, first recorded in 1913. It saw its peak usage that same year, with no notable rise since; the trajectory has remained stable at very low numbers. It has never ranked among the top 1,000 names. The name likely emerged as a variant of the English surname Newell, or from the architectural term 'newel'. Its scarcity makes it an uncommon choice, with no top states indicating geographic concentration.
Newel first appeared as a given name in the early 20th century, likely derived from the English surname Newell, itself from the Old French 'nouel' meaning 'new' or 'young'. The name may also be associated with the architectural term 'newel', referring to the central support of a winding staircase. Its usage as a first name remains rare and sporadic.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Newell
Sibling names for Newel
Names that share Newel's style, for a brother or sister.
