Holding steady.
Popularity of Purnell since 1913
Babies named Purnell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1964, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Purnell's real moment was 1919.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 51 |
| 1920s | 83 |
| 1930s | 73 |
| 1940s | 96 |
| 1950s | 118 |
| 1960s | 126 |
| 1970s | 95 |
| 1980s | 60 |
| 1990s | 43 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Purnell is a rare given name of English origin, derived from a surname meaning 'pear-tree hill.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1913, and its peak usage occurred in 1919, though it never reached the top 1000. The name is classified as stable in trajectory, with no recorded data for recent years. Unlike many turn-of-the-century surnames-turned-first-names, Purnell did not see a revival. It remains an uncommon choice, primarily used in the early 20th century.
Purnell is an English surname that originated as a habitational name from Purnell in Wiltshire, deriving from Old English 'pirige' (pear tree) and 'hyll' (hill). As a given name, it emerged in the late 19th century, likely influenced by the surname. It saw modest use in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States during the 1910s, but has since become rare.
Sibling names for Purnell
Names that share Purnell's style, for a brother or sister.
