Baby Names US
Unisex name ★ peaked 1923

Bernell

Gender Unisex · 32% girls Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Bernell
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1923
56 babies
All-time total
2,308
#3,845 all-time among boys
First recorded
1912
in Social Security records

Bernell popularity over time

2,308 babies have been named Bernell since 1912, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.010.020.030.0418801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls

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 Girls Boys Total Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – – – –
1890s – – – – – –
1900s – – – – – –
1910s 68 117 185 19 – #1,536
1920s 205 251 456 46 +146% #1,140
1930s 191 235 426 43 -7% #1,223
1940s 148 219 367 37 -14% #1,254
1950s 85 245 330 33 -10% #1,196
1960s 53 166 219 22 -34% #1,671
1970s – 127 127 13 -42% #1,943
1980s – 114 114 11 -10% #3,046
1990s – 62 62 6 -46% #3,796
2000s – 6 6 1 -90% #11,225
2010s – 16 16 2 +167% #10,963
2020s (to 2025) – – – – – –

The story of Bernell

Bernell 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 1912, 2,308 American babies have been named Bernell, about 68% boys and 32% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1923, when 56 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 Bernell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Bernell?

The median living Bernell is about 67 years old; half are between 52 and 77. An estimated 1,000 people named Bernell are alive in the United States today.

median 67 020406080100

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

Bernell 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 – – 6 #10,963
2018 – – – –
2017 – – – –
2016 – – 5 #12,432
2015 – – – –
2014 – – – –
2013 – – – –
2012 – – – –
2011 – – 5 #12,514
2010 – – – –
2009 – – – –
2008 – – 6 #11,225
2007 – – – –
2006 – – – –
2005 – – – –
2004 – – – –
2003 – – – –
2002 – – – –
2001 – – – –
2000 – – – –
1995 – – – –
1990 – – 15 #3,796
1985 – – 11 #3,822
1980 – – 12 #3,442
1975 – – 18 #2,373
1970 – – 21 #1,943
1965 – – 22 #1,671
1960 9 #4,468 16 #2,049
1955 12 #3,398 27 #1,488
1950 11 #3,245 25 #1,468
1945 12 #2,613 20 #1,504
1940 13 #2,312 17 #1,684
1935 19 #1,787 14 #1,935
1930 19 #1,882 26 #1,432
1925 24 #1,754 18 #1,879
1920 23 #1,756 27 #1,424
1915 11 #2,554 14 #1,983
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Bernell?

The median living Bernell is about 67 years old. Half of all living Bernells are between 52 and 77 years old.

How many people named Bernell are alive today?

An estimated 1,000 people named Bernell are alive in the United States, based on 2,308 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Bernell in 2025?

Bernell 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 Bernell?

2,308 babies have been named Bernell in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Bernell most popular?

Bernell peaked in 1923, when 56 newborns received the name.

Is Bernell a boy or girl name?

Bernell is used for both: about 32% of babies named Bernell have been girls and 68% boys.

Is the name Bernell rising or falling?

Bernell has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Bernell

Names that sound and feel close to Bernell: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Bernell with similar names → More names starting with B →