Declining since 1993, #7,885 for girls today.
Popularity of Teal since 1957
Babies named Teal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 63 | 0 |
| 1960s | 188 | 11 |
| 1970s | 116 | 22 |
| 1980s | 396 | 63 |
| 1990s | 444 | 71 |
| 2000s | 108 | 7 |
| 2010s | 172 | 61 |
| 2020s | 117 | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Teal entered U.S. birth records in 1957, making it a relatively modern addition to the name pool. Its peak popularity came in 1994, after which it began a steady decline. By 2025, the name ranked 7,885th, with roughly 1 in 123,636 babies receiving the name. The trajectory shows a falling trend since 1993, reflecting a shift away from color and nature names that were particularly fashionable in the 1990s. Despite its decline, Teal remains a distinctive choice, especially for parents seeking a vivid color name with a direct link to the natural world through the teal duck.
Teal originates from the Middle English 'tele', referring to a species of small freshwater duck (Anas crecca). The color name 'teal' came into use in the early 20th century, based on the duck's distinctive eye stripe. As a given name, Teal first appeared in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the popularity of color and nature names such as Rose and Violet.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Teale, Teall
Sibling names for Teal
Names that share Teal's style, for a brother or sister.
