Ethyl
Alternative form of Ethel: a female given name from Old English
Every Ethyl since 1880 — 2,395 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ethyl
Ethyl 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 1880, 2,395 American babies have been named Ethyl. Its peak came in 1915, when 92 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 Ethyl stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ethyl year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,391 |
| 1950 | 14 | #2,813 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,791 |
| 1940 | 17 | #1,983 |
| 1935 | 15 | #2,134 |
| 1930 | 32 | #1,357 |
| 1925 | 47 | #1,124 |
| 1920 | 50 | #1,055 |
| 1915 | 92 | #689 |
| 1910 | 34 | #730 |
| 1905 | 29 | #658 |
| 1900 | 29 | #662 |
| 1895 | 31 | #532 |
| 1890 | 25 | #528 |
| 1885 | 16 | #547 |
| 1880 | 8 | #644 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ethyl mean?
Alternative form of Ethel: a female given name from Old English
How popular is the name Ethyl in 2025?
Ethyl 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 Ethyl?
2,395 babies have been named Ethyl in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ethyl most popular?
Ethyl peaked in 1915, when 92 newborns received the name.
Is Ethyl a boy or girl name?
Ethyl is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ethyl rising or falling?
Ethyl has been roughly stable over the past decade.