Holding steady.
Popularity of Orell since 1914
Babies named Orell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 25 | 18 |
| 1920s | 19 | 62 |
| 1930s | 0 | 35 |
| 1940s | 0 | 25 |
| 1950s | 0 | 13 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Orell first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, and its peak year came just two years later, in 1917, when it was given to fewer than a handful of newborns. According to Social Security data, it has never been common enough to earn a rank in the top 1,000 names in any year. Its trajectory has been stable but exceptionally low, with occasional single-digit counts per year through the most recent data in 2025. Orell has no ties to any specific state or region, as its use has been scattered and infrequent. Parents drawn to short, unisex names with a unique sound may find Orell appealing, but its meaning remains speculative. Of uncertain origin, it may be a modern coinage or a respelling of Orel. For those seeking a name that is virtually unused yet familiar in structure, Orell offers a rare option.
Orell first appeared in U.S. records in the 1910s and has been used sporadically ever since. Its origins are unclear; it may be a respelling of Orel, a short form of Orelia or the Latin Aurelius, or a surname turned given name. It has never ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names.
Sibling names for Orell
Names that share Orell's style, for a brother or sister.
