Holding steady.
Popularity of Tel since 1985
Babies named Tel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 43 |
| 1990s | 64 |
| 2000s | 38 |
| 2010s | 22 |
| 2020s | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Tel is an exceptionally rare name in the United States, first recorded in 1985 with a peak in usage the same year (fewer than 5 births). Since then, it has remained extremely uncommon, with no notable ranking or trend. Its origins are uncertain but likely stem from English surnames or as a diminutive of other names. The name has not appeared in any top states and has a stable trajectory with no sign of revival.
The name Tel is likely a modern diminutive or clipped form of longer given names such as Telford (from a Scottish surname meaning 'iron worker') or Telfer (from a Scottish occupational surname meaning 'tailor'). It may also be a borrowing from Hebrew as a short form of names like Telal (meaning 'dew'). Its use as an independent name is recent, first recorded in the United States in 1985.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Tell
Sibling names for Tel
Names that share Tel's style, for a brother or sister.
