Holding steady.
Popularity of Newell since 1881
Babies named Newell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Newell's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 62 |
| 1890s | 68 |
| 1900s | 95 |
| 1910s | 608 |
| 1920s | 704 |
| 1930s | 513 |
| 1940s | 460 |
| 1950s | 311 |
| 1960s | 163 |
| 1970s | 112 |
| 1980s | 54 |
| 1990s | 51 |
| 2000s | 15 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Newell is a masculine given name drawn from an English surname meaning 'new hall.' It first appeared in American birth records in 1881, the same year it reached its highest recorded usage. While it has never broken into the top 1000, its trajectory has remained stable over the decades, with a modest but consistent presence. The name's straightforward meaning and surname style appeal to those seeking a distinctive but unpretentious choice.
Newell is a transferred use of the English surname, which derived from Middle English 'newe' (new) and 'halle' (hall). The surname originally denoted someone who lived at a newly built house or hall. As a given name, it has been used since the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: New, Newie
Sibling names for Newell
Names that share Newell's style, for a brother or sister.
