Ancel
Every Ancel since 1883 — 751 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ancel
Ancel is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1883, 751 American babies have been named Ancel. Its peak came in 1919, when 25 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ancel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ancel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 10 | #7,679 |
| 2018 | 5 | #12,273 |
| 2017 | 5 | #12,369 |
| 2016 | 6 | #10,836 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #10,789 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 7 | #9,767 |
| 2011 | 8 | #8,805 |
| 2010 | 8 | #8,845 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 6 | #11,122 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8,212 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 6 | #9,152 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 8 | #3,087 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | 11 | #2,326 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 13 | #1,986 |
| 1935 | 15 | #1,840 |
| 1930 | 12 | #2,300 |
| 1925 | 20 | #1,747 |
| 1920 | 17 | #1,969 |
| 1915 | 22 | #1,459 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | 6 | #1,093 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | 5 | #943 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ancel in 2025?
Ancel did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Ancel?
751 babies have been named Ancel in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ancel most popular?
Ancel peaked in 1919, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Ancel a boy or girl name?
Ancel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ancel rising or falling?
Ancel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.