Orel
Every Orel since 1883 — 698 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Orel
Orel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,643 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1883, 698 American babies have been named Orel — about 81% boys and 19% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1916, when 73 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 Orel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Orel 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 | — | — | 6 | #11,643 |
| 2024 | — | — | 5 | #13,716 |
| 2023 | — | — | 5 | #13,624 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 8 | #9,460 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 7 | #10,486 |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | #11,762 |
| 2015 | — | — | 7 | #10,326 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 5 | #13,543 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #11,874 |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | 6 | #16,756 | 9 | #8,811 |
| 2008 | — | — | 7 | #10,722 |
| 2007 | — | — | 6 | #11,971 |
| 2006 | — | — | 6 | #11,672 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #8,123 |
| 2004 | — | — | 6 | #10,959 |
| 2003 | — | — | 9 | #7,673 |
| 2002 | — | — | 11 | #6,404 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 7 | #8,875 |
| 1995 | — | — | 9 | #6,271 |
| 1990 | — | — | 11 | #4,905 |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | 5 | #3,808 |
| 1935 | — | — | 8 | #2,881 |
| 1930 | — | — | 8 | #3,219 |
| 1925 | — | — | 7 | #3,649 |
| 1920 | — | — | 16 | #2,109 |
| 1915 | 21 | #1,664 | 16 | #1,865 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Orel in 2025?
Orel ranked #11,643 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Orel?
698 babies have been named Orel in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Orel most popular?
Orel peaked in 1916, when 73 newborns received the name.
Is Orel a boy or girl name?
Orel is used for both: about 19% of babies named Orel have been girls and 81% boys.
Is the name Orel rising or falling?
Orel is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.