Edsel
The automobile marque is named after Edsel Ford (1893–1943), son of Henry Ford.
Every Edsel since 1914 — 3,962 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Edsel
Edsel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,552 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1914, 3,962 American babies have been named Edsel. Its peak came in 1927, when 224 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 Edsel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Edsel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #12,552 |
| 2024 | 6 | #11,306 |
| 2023 | 6 | #11,212 |
| 2022 | 7 | #10,101 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7,237 |
| 2020 | 9 | #8,251 |
| 2019 | 5 | #12,694 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5,845 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11,143 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8,335 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8,235 |
| 2014 | 5 | #12,600 |
| 2013 | 12 | #6,727 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 8 | #8,980 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5,314 |
| 2009 | 12 | #6,914 |
| 2008 | 20 | #4,771 |
| 2007 | 12 | #6,756 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 12 | #6,341 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6,671 |
| 2003 | 10 | #6,870 |
| 2002 | 14 | #5,210 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5,778 |
| 2000 | 8 | #7,652 |
| 1995 | 19 | #3,464 |
| 1990 | 20 | #3,088 |
| 1985 | 14 | #3,257 |
| 1980 | 20 | #2,467 |
| 1975 | 12 | #3,122 |
| 1970 | 12 | #2,776 |
| 1965 | 28 | #1,461 |
| 1960 | 27 | #1,561 |
| 1955 | 37 | #1,241 |
| 1950 | 48 | #1,013 |
| 1945 | 39 | #1,019 |
| 1940 | 60 | #802 |
| 1935 | 68 | #744 |
| 1930 | 104 | #593 |
| 1925 | 173 | #459 |
| 1920 | 55 | #930 |
| 1915 | 17 | #1,724 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Edsel
- Edsel Ford Businessperson · 1893–1943
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Edsel mean?
The automobile marque is named after Edsel Ford (1893–1943), son of Henry Ford.
How popular is the name Edsel in 2025?
Edsel ranked #12,552 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Edsel?
3,962 babies have been named Edsel in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Edsel most popular?
Edsel peaked in 1927, when 224 newborns received the name.
Is Edsel a boy or girl name?
Edsel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Edsel rising or falling?
Edsel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Edsel?
Well-known people named Edsel include Edsel Ford (businessperson).