Holding steady.
Popularity of Orvel since 1888
Babies named Orvel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orvel's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 9 |
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 31 |
| 1910s | 271 |
| 1920s | 346 |
| 1930s | 228 |
| 1940s | 143 |
| 1950s | 77 |
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 8 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Orvel is a rare masculine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1888, which also marks its peak year. The name has never ranked in the top 1000, and its trajectory has been stable, with only sporadic use across the decades. While its exact meaning remains uncertain, Orvel is generally considered a variant of the more familiar Orville, a name that gained some visibility through early aviation pioneer Orville Wright. With no top states of particular concentration, Orvel remains a true rarity, chosen by few families seeking a distinctive and historical name with an old-fashioned charm.
Orvel is a rare name that appears to be a variant of Orville, itself derived from a Norman French place name composed of 'or' (gold) and 'ville' (town, settlement). It first appeared in U.S. records in the late 19th century but never gained widespread usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orv
Variants: Orville
Sibling names for Orvel
Names that share Orvel's style, for a brother or sister.
