Shell
A diminutive of the female given name Michelle or Shelly.
Every Shell since 1951 — 311 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shell
Shell 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 1951, 311 American babies have been named Shell — about 64% girls and 36% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1963, when 31 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Shell stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shell 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | 8 | #6,269 | — | — |
| 1965 | 16 | #3,242 | 12 | #2,452 |
| 1960 | 12 | #3,887 | 11 | #2,664 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shell mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Michelle or Shelly.
How popular is the name Shell in 2025?
Shell 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 Shell?
311 babies have been named Shell in the United States since 1951, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shell most popular?
Shell peaked in 1963, when 31 newborns received the name.
Is Shell a boy or girl name?
Shell is used for both: about 64% of babies named Shell have been girls and 36% boys.
Is the name Shell rising or falling?
Shell has been roughly stable over the past decade.