Powell
The anglicized form of Welsh ap Hywel (“son of Hywel”).
Every Powell since 1883 — 1,491 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Powell
Powell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,751 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1883, 1,491 American babies have been named Powell. Its peak came in 1919, when 32 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 Powell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Powell 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 | — | — | 9 | #8,751 |
| 2024 | — | — | 10 | #8,174 |
| 2023 | — | — | 11 | #7,626 |
| 2022 | — | — | 12 | #7,139 |
| 2021 | — | — | 10 | #8,012 |
| 2020 | — | — | 7 | #10,328 |
| 2019 | — | — | 5 | #13,639 |
| 2018 | — | — | 8 | #9,448 |
| 2017 | — | — | 14 | #6,260 |
| 2016 | 6 | #15,791 | 11 | #7,486 |
| 2015 | — | — | 7 | #10,350 |
| 2014 | — | — | 10 | #7,982 |
| 2013 | — | — | 10 | #7,954 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #11,903 |
| 2011 | — | — | 6 | #11,904 |
| 2010 | — | — | 10 | #7,982 |
| 2009 | — | — | 10 | #8,148 |
| 2008 | — | — | 10 | #8,143 |
| 2007 | — | — | 11 | #7,462 |
| 2006 | — | — | 7 | #10,379 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #8,138 |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #12,745 |
| 2003 | — | — | 5 | #12,269 |
| 2002 | — | — | 8 | #8,250 |
| 2001 | — | — | 10 | #6,804 |
| 2000 | — | — | 14 | #5,248 |
| 1995 | — | — | 14 | #4,449 |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,281 |
| 1985 | — | — | 6 | #6,322 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | 5 | #6,084 |
| 1970 | — | — | 5 | #5,260 |
| 1965 | — | — | 13 | #2,345 |
| 1960 | — | — | 14 | #2,291 |
| 1955 | — | — | 15 | #2,115 |
| 1950 | — | — | 15 | #2,006 |
| 1945 | — | — | 22 | #1,433 |
| 1940 | — | — | 19 | #1,612 |
| 1935 | — | — | 16 | #1,819 |
| 1930 | — | — | 21 | #1,639 |
| 1925 | — | — | 28 | #1,415 |
| 1920 | — | — | 19 | #1,868 |
| 1915 | — | — | 17 | #1,764 |
| 1910 | — | — | 6 | #1,546 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 5 | #1,121 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Powell mean?
The anglicized form of Welsh ap Hywel (“son of Hywel”).
How popular is the name Powell in 2025?
Powell ranked #8,751 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Powell?
1,491 babies have been named Powell in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Powell most popular?
Powell peaked in 1919, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Powell a boy or girl name?
Powell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Powell rising or falling?
Powell is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.