Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1963

Parnell

Meaning Matronymic from a medieval spoken form of Petronella Gender Boy · 4% girls Rank 2025 Below top lists

Matronymic from a medieval spoken form of Petronella.

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Parnell
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1963
39 babies
All-time total
1,479
#4,100 all-time among boys
First recorded
1912
in Social Security records

Parnell popularity over time

1,479 babies have been named Parnell since 1912, 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
0.010.020.020.0318801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
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 14 91 105 11 – #1,571
1920s 22 158 180 18 +71% #1,693
1930s 10 139 149 15 -17% #1,489
1940s 11 120 131 13 -12% #1,862
1950s – 145 145 15 +11% #1,603
1960s – 262 262 26 +81% #1,250
1970s – 156 156 16 -40% #1,965
1980s – 166 166 17 +6% #2,379
1990s – 111 111 11 -33% #3,424
2000s – 50 50 5 -55% #7,678
2010s – 24 24 2 -52% #9,472
2020s (to 2025) – – – – – –

The story of Parnell

Parnell 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 1912, 1,479 American babies have been named Parnell. Its peak came in 1963, when 39 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1960s.

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 Parnell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Parnell?

The median living Parnell is about 54 years old; half are between 38 and 64. An estimated 900 people named Parnell are alive in the United States today.

median 54 020406080100

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

Parnell 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 – – – –
2021 – – – –
2020 – – – –
2019 – – – –
2018 – – – –
2017 – – 8 #9,472
2016 – – 5 #13,679
2015 – – – –
2014 – – 6 #11,764
2013 – – – –
2012 – – – –
2011 – – 5 #13,801
2010 – – – –
2009 – – – –
2008 – – 6 #12,186
2007 – – – –
2006 – – 9 #8,563
2005 – – 9 #8,132
2004 – – 6 #10,972
2003 – – 9 #7,678
2002 – – 5 #11,997
2001 – – 6 #10,202
2000 – – – –
1995 – – 9 #6,273
1990 – – 18 #3,424
1985 – – 13 #3,546
1980 – – 8 #4,831
1975 – – 15 #2,722
1970 – – 15 #2,476
1965 – – 32 #1,374
1960 – – 14 #2,288
1955 – – 14 #2,201
1950 – – 22 #1,603
1945 – – 11 #2,214
1940 – – 13 #2,060
1935 5 #4,749 6 #3,559
1930 – – 25 #1,489
1925 6 #4,837 14 #2,291
1920 – – 19 #1,867
1915 – – 12 #2,268
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Parnell?

The median living Parnell is about 54 years old. Half of all living Parnells are between 38 and 64 years old.

How many people named Parnell are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Parnell are alive in the United States, based on 1,479 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Parnell mean?

Matronymic from a medieval spoken form of Petronella.

How popular is the name Parnell in 2025?

Parnell 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 Parnell?

1,479 babies have been named Parnell in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Parnell most popular?

Parnell peaked in 1963, when 39 newborns received the name.

Is Parnell a boy or girl name?

Parnell is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 96% of babies with the name.

Is the name Parnell rising or falling?

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

Names like Parnell

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

Compare Parnell with similar names → More names starting with P →