Declining since 1985, #4,396 for boys today.
Popularity of Odell since 1883
Babies named Odell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Odell's real moment was 1906.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 | 29 |
| 1890s | 61 | 64 |
| 1900s | 323 | 359 |
| 1910s | 1,137 | 1,847 |
| 1920s | 1,370 | 3,035 |
| 1930s | 624 | 2,459 |
| 1940s | 333 | 2,113 |
| 1950s | 204 | 1,769 |
| 1960s | 73 | 1,019 |
| 1970s | 14 | 726 |
| 1980s | 0 | 505 |
| 1990s | 0 | 369 |
| 2000s | 0 | 198 |
| 2010s | 5 | 238 |
| 2020s | 0 | 153 |
Meaning & origin
Odell first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1883, and reached its peak popularity in 1906, when it ranked inside the top 600. Since then, the name has steadily declined, particularly after the 1980s, falling to its current rank of 4,396 in 2025. At that rank, roughly 1 in 74,264 newborns receives the name, reflecting a significant drop from its early-20th-century usage. While not currently associated with any particular region, Odell retains a classic, turn-of-the-century feel that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon vintage name.
Odell likely derives from the English surname Odell, which in turn comes from a place name in Bedfordshire, England. The place name may mean 'Odda's hill' from the Old English personal name Odda and hyll 'hill'. Alternatively, it could be related to the Old English word wad 'woad' (a plant used for dye). The name gained some use as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States.
Where Odell is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Odie, Dell
Sibling names for Odell
Names that share Odell's style, for a brother or sister.
