girls' name · peaked 1990

Chantal

Borrowed from French Chantal in the 1960s, from the surname of a French saint Jeanne de Chantal, actually a Baroness of Chantal, a place name in France from Old Occitan…

Every Chantal since 1947 — 8,476 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#6,167
among girls
Babies in 2025
19
named Chantal
Peak year
1990
428 babies
All-time total
8,476
since 1947

The story of Chantal

Chantal is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,167 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1947, 8,476 American babies have been named Chantal. Its peak came in 1990, when 428 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 Chantal stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Chantal 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 19 #6,167
2024 17 #6,687
2023 20 #6,007
2022 15 #7,348
2021 31 #4,431
2020 20 #5,905
2019 20 #6,026
2018 23 #5,491
2017 24 #5,400
2016 28 #4,885
2015 47 #3,398
2014 52 #3,144
2013 52 #3,135
2012 49 #3,327
2011 65 #2,700
2010 60 #2,872
2009 83 #2,342
2008 109 #1,932
2007 98 #2,073
2006 109 #1,868
2005 151 #1,419
2004 124 #1,586
2003 135 #1,454
2002 174 #1,181
2001 154 #1,279
2000 146 #1,306
1995 281 #728
1990 428 #553
1985 218 #776
1980 106 #1,238
1975 87 #1,278
1970 99 #1,169
1965 55 #1,502
1960 22 #2,583
1955
1950 11 #3,251
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Chantal

  1. Chantal Mouffe Philosopher · b. 1943
  2. Chantal Akerman Film director · 1950–2015
  3. Chantal Goya Actor · b. 1942
  4. Chantal Andere Actor · b. 1972
  5. Chantal Janzen Actor · b. 1979

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Chantal mean?

Borrowed from French Chantal in the 1960s, from the surname of a French saint Jeanne de Chantal, actually a Baroness of Chantal, a place name in France from Old Occitan cantal (“stone, moellon, rubblestone”).

How popular is the name Chantal in 2025?

Chantal ranked #6,167 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Chantal?

8,476 babies have been named Chantal in the United States since 1947, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Chantal most popular?

Chantal peaked in 1990, when 428 newborns received the name.

Is Chantal a boy or girl name?

Chantal is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Chantal rising or falling?

Chantal is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Chantal?

Well-known people named Chantal include Chantal Mouffe (philosopher), Chantal Akerman (film director), Chantal Goya (actor).

Names like Chantal

Compare Chantal with similar names →