Chanel
From French Chanel. As a given name, principally after Coco Chanel.
Every Chanel since 1918 — 19,182 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chanel
Chanel is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,311 in 2025 with 170 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1918, 19,182 American babies have been named Chanel. Its peak came in 1991, when 676 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Chanel stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chanel 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 | 170 | #1,311 | — | — |
| 2024 | 192 | #1,224 | — | — |
| 2023 | 206 | #1,169 | — | — |
| 2022 | 289 | #937 | — | — |
| 2021 | 333 | #829 | — | — |
| 2020 | 391 | #715 | — | — |
| 2019 | 355 | #781 | — | — |
| 2018 | 354 | #772 | — | — |
| 2017 | 391 | #728 | — | — |
| 2016 | 450 | #652 | — | — |
| 2015 | 417 | #685 | — | — |
| 2014 | 453 | #630 | — | — |
| 2013 | 382 | #722 | — | — |
| 2012 | 373 | #746 | — | — |
| 2011 | 320 | #827 | — | — |
| 2010 | 333 | #813 | — | — |
| 2009 | 354 | #799 | — | — |
| 2008 | 380 | #772 | — | — |
| 2007 | 318 | #881 | — | — |
| 2006 | 287 | #923 | — | — |
| 2005 | 272 | #915 | — | — |
| 2004 | 263 | #920 | — | — |
| 2003 | 229 | #1,010 | — | — |
| 2002 | 209 | #1,034 | — | — |
| 2001 | 238 | #933 | — | — |
| 2000 | 278 | #815 | — | — |
| 1995 | 358 | #618 | — | — |
| 1990 | 606 | #418 | 5 | #8,315 |
| 1985 | 458 | #465 | — | — |
| 1980 | 281 | #650 | — | — |
| 1975 | 140 | #923 | — | — |
| 1970 | 89 | #1,248 | — | — |
| 1965 | 38 | #1,856 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,243 | — | — |
| 1955 | 7 | #4,805 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | 5 | #4,300 |
| 1920 | — | — | 5 | #4,400 |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Chanel
- Chanel Preston Pornographic actor · b. 1985
- Chanel Iman Model · b. 1990
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chanel mean?
From French Chanel. As a given name, principally after Coco Chanel.
How popular is the name Chanel in 2025?
Chanel ranked #1,311 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 170 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chanel?
19,182 babies have been named Chanel in the United States since 1918, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chanel most popular?
Chanel peaked in 1991, when 676 newborns received the name.
Is Chanel a boy or girl name?
Chanel is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Chanel rising or falling?
Chanel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Chanel?
Well-known people named Chanel include Chanel Preston (pornographic actor), Chanel Iman (model).