Holding steady.
Popularity of Purcell since 1915
Babies named Purcell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1948, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Purcell's real moment was 1916.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 42 |
| 1920s | 91 |
| 1930s | 54 |
| 1940s | 65 |
| 1950s | 83 |
| 1960s | 61 |
| 1970s | 34 |
| 1980s | 24 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Purcell is a rare first name with English surname origins, recorded in the U.S. since 1915. Its peak popularity came in 1916, when it was given to a small but notable number of boys. The name has remained consistently uncommon, never breaking into national rankings. Its meaning ties to occupational roots, either as 'little porter' or 'piglet', reflecting medieval nicknames. Today, Purcell retains an understated, vintage charm for parents seeking a distinctive surname-as-first-name.
Purcell is an English surname derived from the Old French 'pourcelet', a diminutive of 'porc' (pig). It likely originated as a nickname for a swineherd or someone thought to resemble a piglet. Alternatively, it may be a variant of 'Porter', referring to a gatekeeper. As a first name, Purcell has seen rare but consistent use since the early 20th century, often passed down from a family surname.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Percy
Sibling names for Purcell
Names that share Purcell's style, for a brother or sister.
