Ancel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	16	2	–	#854
1890s	5	1	-69%	#1,066
1900s	17	2	+240%	#1,067
1910s	145	15	+753%	#1,263
1920s	167	17	+15%	#1,697
1930s	119	12	-29%	#1,590
1940s	97	10	-18%	#1,761
1950s	48	5	-51%	#2,326
1960s	34	3	-29%	#2,790
1970s	11	1	-68%	#4,959
1980s	6	1	-45%	#5,507
1990s	10	1	+67%	#8,493
2000s	21	2	+110%	#8,212
2010s	55	6	+162%	#7,679
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#854

1890s

-69%

#1,066

1900s

+240%

#1,067

1910s

145

+753%

#1,263

1920s

167

+15%

#1,697

1930s

119

-29%

#1,590

1940s

-18%

#1,761

1950s

-51%

#2,326

1960s

-29%

#2,790

1970s

-68%

#4,959

1980s

-45%

#5,507

1990s

+67%

#8,493

2000s

+110%

#8,212

2010s

+162%

#7,679

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Ancel

Ancel 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 1883, 751 American babies have been named Ancel. Its peak came in 1919, when 25 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 Ancel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Ancel?

The median living Ancel is about 63 years old; half are between 17 and 78. An estimated 200 people named Ancel are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Ancel year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	10	#7,679
2018	5	#12,273
2017	5	#12,369
2016	6	#10,836
2015	–	–
2014	6	#10,789
2013	–	–
2012	7	#9,767
2011	8	#8,805
2010	8	#8,845
2009	–	–
2008	6	#11,122
2007	9	#8,212
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	6	#9,152
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	8	#3,087
1955	–	–
1950	11	#2,326
1945	–	–
1940	13	#1,986
1935	15	#1,840
1930	12	#2,300
1925	20	#1,747
1920	17	#1,969
1915	22	#1,459
1910	–	–
1905	6	#1,093
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	5	#943
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ancel, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Ancel?

The median living Ancel is about 63 years old. Half of all living Ancels are between 17 and 78 years old.

How many people named Ancel are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Ancel are alive in the United States, based on 751 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Ancel mean?

Ancel is both a French surname and a given name.

How popular is the name Ancel in 2025?

Ancel 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 Ancel?

751 babies have been named Ancel in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ancel most popular?

Ancel peaked in 1919, when 25 newborns received the name.

Is Ancel a boy or girl name?

Ancel is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Ancel rising or falling?

Ancel is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Ancel

Ancel popularity over time

The story of Ancel

How old are people named Ancel?

Ancel year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Ancel