A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Roswell since 1880
Babies named Roswell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Roswell's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 39 |
| 1890s | 88 |
| 1900s | 38 |
| 1910s | 276 |
| 1920s | 302 |
| 1930s | 168 |
| 1940s | 154 |
| 1950s | 103 |
| 1960s | 75 |
| 1970s | 37 |
| 1980s | 37 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 22 |
| 2010s | 20 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Roswell is an English surname-turned-given name that has seen modest but steady use since the late 19th century. First recorded in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1891, when it ranked highest among its birth years. After a long period of decline, the name has been rising again since 2015, though it remains rare with a current 1-in-244,011 birth rate. While no single state shows a pronounced concentration, Roswell's appeal lies in its surname heritage and the familiar 'well' ending, placing it alongside other revivalist choices like Elwell and Maxwell. Its trajectory suggests a growing appreciation for distinctive, historically grounded names.
Roswell is an English surname and place name, likely derived from Old English elements. One possible origin is 'hros' (horse) and 'well(a)' (spring or stream), meaning 'horse spring.' Another theory connects it to the Old English personal name 'Hroðwulf' (fame-wolf), the same root as Rudolph. The name gained recognition as a given name in the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of surnames as first names in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Roz, Well
Sibling names for Roswell
Names that share Roswell's style, for a brother or sister.
