A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Powell since 1883
Babies named Powell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Powell's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 32 |
| 1900s | 43 |
| 1910s | 171 |
| 1920s | 208 |
| 1930s | 193 |
| 1940s | 177 |
| 1950s | 135 |
| 1960s | 118 |
| 1970s | 38 |
| 1980s | 56 |
| 1990s | 69 |
| 2000s | 89 |
| 2010s | 87 |
| 2020s | 59 |
Meaning & origin
Powell is a Welsh patronymic surname turned given name, derived from ap Hywel, meaning 'son of Hywel'. First recorded as a given name in 1883, it reached its peak rank of 8,243 in 1891, reflecting a revival of interest in Welsh heritage during the late Victorian era. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 1993, mirroring a broader trend of using surnames as first names. It remains uncommon, with approximately 1 in every 189,786 male births receiving the name in 2025. The trajectory suggests a steady climb in usage over the past three decades, though it has not yet returned to its 19th-century levels.
Powell is an Anglicized form of the Welsh surname ap Hywel, meaning 'son of Hywel'. The personal name Hywel derives from Old Welsh and means 'eminent' or 'conspicuous'. Historically common in Wales and the border counties of England, the surname became established as a given name in the United States by the late 19th century, particularly in families honoring Welsh heritage.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Powel, Powells, Ap Howell, ap Hywel
Sibling names for Powell
Names that share Powell's style, for a brother or sister.
