Burnell
Every Burnell since 1906 — 3,383 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Burnell
Burnell 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 1906, 3,383 American babies have been named Burnell — about 82% boys and 18% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1920, when 86 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Burnell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Burnell year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 5 | #12,660 |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | 5 | #12,334 |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 5 | #12,575 |
| 2016 | — | — | 5 | #12,491 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 10 | #7,615 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 7 | #9,769 |
| 2010 | — | — | 7 | #9,850 |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | 6 | #10,859 |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,244 |
| 2003 | — | — | 5 | #11,120 |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | 5 | #10,796 |
| 2000 | — | — | 5 | #10,583 |
| 1995 | — | — | 5 | #9,044 |
| 1990 | — | — | 16 | #3,624 |
| 1985 | — | — | 11 | #3,831 |
| 1980 | — | — | 13 | #3,281 |
| 1975 | — | — | 16 | #2,550 |
| 1970 | — | — | 20 | #1,998 |
| 1965 | — | — | 16 | #1,992 |
| 1960 | — | — | 31 | #1,435 |
| 1955 | 10 | #3,805 | 29 | #1,421 |
| 1950 | — | — | 31 | #1,294 |
| 1945 | 9 | #3,166 | 39 | #1,018 |
| 1940 | 11 | #2,587 | 49 | #908 |
| 1935 | 8 | #3,185 | 49 | #905 |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,758 | 54 | #910 |
| 1925 | 22 | #1,852 | 59 | #873 |
| 1920 | 19 | #2,022 | 67 | #819 |
| 1915 | 6 | #3,848 | 49 | #882 |
| 1910 | — | — | 9 | #1,127 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Burnell in 2025?
Burnell 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 Burnell?
3,383 babies have been named Burnell in the United States since 1906, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Burnell most popular?
Burnell peaked in 1920, when 86 newborns received the name.
Is Burnell a boy or girl name?
Burnell is used for both: about 18% of babies named Burnell have been girls and 82% boys.
Is the name Burnell rising or falling?
Burnell is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.