Baby Names US
Unisex name ★ peaked 1920

Burnell

Gender Unisex · 18% girls Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Burnell
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1920
86 babies
All-time total
3,383
#2,664 all-time among boys
First recorded
1906
in Social Security records

Burnell popularity over time

3,383 babies have been named Burnell since 1906, 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
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
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 – 14 14 1 – #1,033
1910s 81 326 407 41 +2807% #882
1920s 173 562 735 74 +81% #819
1930s 144 467 611 61 -17% #827
1940s 115 410 525 53 -14% #908
1950s 64 364 428 43 -18% #1,017
1960s 16 216 232 23 -46% #1,389
1970s – 148 148 15 -36% #1,998
1980s – 122 122 12 -18% #2,797
1990s – 88 88 9 -28% #3,624
2000s – 29 29 3 -67% #8,244
2010s – 34 34 3 +17% #7,615
2020s (to 2025) – 10 10 2 -51% #12,334

The story of Burnell

Burnell 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 1906, 3,383 American babies have been named Burnell, about 82% boys and 18% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1920, when 86 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 Burnell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Burnell?

The median living Burnell is about 68 years old; half are between 50 and 78. An estimated 1,300 people named Burnell are alive in the United States today.

median 68 020406080100

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

Burnell 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 – – 5 #12,660
2021 – – – –
2020 – – 5 #12,334
2019 – – – –
2018 – – – –
2017 – – 5 #12,575
2016 – – 5 #12,491
2015 – – – –
2014 – – – –
2013 – – 10 #7,615
2012 – – – –
2011 – – 7 #9,769
2010 – – 7 #9,850
2009 – – – –
2008 – – – –
2007 – – – –
2006 – – 6 #10,859
2005 – – – –
2004 – – 8 #8,244
2003 – – 5 #11,120
2002 – – – –
2001 – – 5 #10,796
2000 – – 5 #10,583
1995 – – 5 #9,044
1990 – – 16 #3,624
1985 – – 11 #3,831
1980 – – 13 #3,281
1975 – – 16 #2,550
1970 – – 20 #1,998
1965 – – 16 #1,992
1960 – – 31 #1,435
1955 10 #3,805 29 #1,421
1950 – – 31 #1,294
1945 9 #3,166 39 #1,018
1940 11 #2,587 49 #908
1935 8 #3,185 49 #905
1930 21 #1,758 54 #910
1925 22 #1,852 59 #873
1920 19 #2,022 67 #819
1915 6 #3,848 49 #882
1910 – – 9 #1,127
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Burnell?

The median living Burnell is about 68 years old. Half of all living Burnells are between 50 and 78 years old.

How many people named Burnell are alive today?

An estimated 1,300 people named Burnell are alive in the United States, based on 3,383 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Burnell in 2025?

Burnell 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 Burnell?

3,383 babies have been named Burnell in the United States since 1906, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Burnell most popular?

Burnell peaked in 1920, when 86 newborns received the name.

Is Burnell a boy or girl name?

Burnell is used for both: about 18% of babies named Burnell have been girls and 82% boys.

Is the name Burnell rising or falling?

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

Names like Burnell

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

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