Holding steady.
Popularity of Zell since 1898
Babies named Zell per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zell's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 | 0 |
| 1900s | 58 | 0 |
| 1910s | 119 | 46 |
| 1920s | 118 | 38 |
| 1930s | 48 | 14 |
| 1940s | 5 | 33 |
| 1950s | 17 | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 22 |
| 2010s | 0 | 40 |
| 2020s | 0 | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Zell is a rare masculine name of probable German origin that saw its highest usage in the early 1900s. According to Social Security Administration data, the name was first recorded in 1898 and reached its peak year in 1905, though it never ranked among the top names nationally. The trajectory for Zell is described as stable, meaning its already low usage has remained consistently minimal over the decades. No single state shows significant concentration of the name. As a short, simple name ending in 'ell,' Zell fits a pattern of phonetic surnames and diminutives that were briefly fashionable in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it remains off the popularity charts but offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon vintage name.
Zell likely originated as a German surname or a diminutive of names such as Zella (a pet form of names ending in -zell). It may also be a variant of Zell, which in German can mean 'peace' or 'crown,' though its exact derivation as a given name is uncertain. The name saw modest use in the United States in the early 20th century, with a peak in 1905, but has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Zell
Names that share Zell's style, for a brother or sister.
