Martel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#10,313

among boys · ↓2,193 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Martel

How common

1 in 244,011

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1991

72 babies

All-time total

1,706

#3,656 all-time among boys

First recorded

1920

in Social Security records

Martel popularity over time

1,706 babies have been named Martel since 1920, 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

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	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	23	23	2	–	#3,986
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	16	16	2	–	#2,558
1950s	–	12	12	1	-25%	#3,467
1960s	–	50	50	5	+317%	#2,988
1970s	5	119	124	12	+148%	#2,500
1980s	5	496	501	50	+304%	#1,151
1990s	–	496	496	50	-1%	#1,332
2000s	–	246	246	25	-50%	#3,125
2010s	–	176	176	18	-28%	#4,070
2020s (to 2025)	–	62	62	10	-41%	#6,503

The story of Martel

Martel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,313 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1920, 1,706 American babies have been named Martel. Its peak came in 1991, when 72 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 Martel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Martel?

The median living Martel is about 33 years old; half are between 23 and 40. An estimated 1,600 people named Martel are alive in the United States today.

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

Martel 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	–	–	7	#10,313
2024	–	–	10	#8,120
2023	–	–	9	#8,680
2022	–	–	10	#8,105
2021	–	–	13	#6,554
2020	–	–	13	#6,503
2019	–	–	9	#8,634
2018	–	–	24	#4,312
2017	–	–	23	#4,417
2016	–	–	16	#5,696
2015	–	–	18	#5,203
2014	–	–	18	#5,184
2013	–	–	11	#7,366
2012	–	–	16	#5,634
2011	–	–	16	#5,586
2010	–	–	25	#4,070
2009	–	–	23	#4,378
2008	–	–	24	#4,220
2007	–	–	21	#4,592
2006	–	–	26	#3,859
2005	–	–	23	#4,011
2004	–	–	26	#3,600
2003	–	–	19	#4,371
2002	–	–	29	#3,154
2001	–	–	27	#3,289
2000	–	–	28	#3,125
1995	–	–	54	#1,675
1990	–	–	66	#1,376
1985	–	–	65	#1,165
1980	–	–	22	#2,334
1975	–	–	9	#3,830
1970	–	–	12	#2,823
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	5	#4,399
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	5	#4,715
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Martel?

The median living Martel is about 33 years old. Half of all living Martels are between 23 and 40 years old.

How many people named Martel are alive today?

An estimated 1,600 people named Martel are alive in the United States, based on 1,706 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Martel in 2025?

Martel ranked #10,313 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Martel?

1,706 babies have been named Martel in the United States since 1920, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Martel most popular?

Martel peaked in 1991, when 72 newborns received the name.

Is Martel a boy or girl name?

Martel is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Martel rising or falling?

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

Names like Martel

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

Compare Martel with similar names → More names starting with M →