Powell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#8,751

among boys · ↓577 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Powell

How common

1 in 189,786

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1919

32 babies

All-time total

1,491

#3,983 all-time among boys

First recorded

1883

in Social Security records

Powell popularity over time

1,491 babies have been named Powell since 1883, 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	–	10	10	1	–	#1,014
1890s	–	32	32	3	+220%	#936
1900s	–	43	43	4	+34%	#1,032
1910s	–	171	171	17	+298%	#1,069
1920s	–	208	208	21	+22%	#1,415
1930s	–	193	193	19	-7%	#1,451
1940s	–	177	177	18	-8%	#1,433
1950s	–	135	135	14	-24%	#1,881
1960s	–	118	118	12	-13%	#2,015
1970s	–	38	38	4	-68%	#4,327
1980s	–	56	56	6	+47%	#3,561
1990s	–	69	69	7	+23%	#4,449
2000s	–	89	89	9	+29%	#5,248
2010s	6	87	93	9	+4%	#6,260
2020s (to 2025)	–	59	59	10	+6%	#7,139

The story of Powell

Powell is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,751 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1883, 1,491 American babies have been named Powell. Its peak came in 1919, when 32 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 Powell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Powell?

The median living Powell is about 44 years old; half are between 18 and 70. An estimated 700 people named Powell 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.

Powell 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	–	–	9	#8,751
2024	–	–	10	#8,174
2023	–	–	11	#7,626
2022	–	–	12	#7,139
2021	–	–	10	#8,012
2020	–	–	7	#10,328
2019	–	–	5	#13,639
2018	–	–	8	#9,448
2017	–	–	14	#6,260
2016	6	#15,791	11	#7,486
2015	–	–	7	#10,350
2014	–	–	10	#7,982
2013	–	–	10	#7,954
2012	–	–	6	#11,903
2011	–	–	6	#11,904
2010	–	–	10	#7,982
2009	–	–	10	#8,148
2008	–	–	10	#8,143
2007	–	–	11	#7,462
2006	–	–	7	#10,379
2005	–	–	9	#8,138
2004	–	–	5	#12,745
2003	–	–	5	#12,269
2002	–	–	8	#8,250
2001	–	–	10	#6,804
2000	–	–	14	#5,248
1995	–	–	14	#4,449
1990	–	–	10	#5,281
1985	–	–	6	#6,322
1980	–	–	–	–
1975	–	–	5	#6,084
1970	–	–	5	#5,260
1965	–	–	13	#2,345
1960	–	–	14	#2,291
1955	–	–	15	#2,115
1950	–	–	15	#2,006
1945	–	–	22	#1,433
1940	–	–	19	#1,612
1935	–	–	16	#1,819
1930	–	–	21	#1,639
1925	–	–	28	#1,415
1920	–	–	19	#1,868
1915	–	–	17	#1,764
1910	–	–	6	#1,546
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	5	#1,121
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Powell?

The median living Powell is about 44 years old. Half of all living Powells are between 18 and 70 years old.

How many people named Powell are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Powell are alive in the United States, based on 1,491 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Powell mean?

The anglicized form of Welsh ap Hywel (“son of Hywel”).

How popular is the name Powell in 2025?

Powell ranked #8,751 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Powell?

1,491 babies have been named Powell in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Powell most popular?

Powell peaked in 1919, when 32 newborns received the name.

Is Powell a boy or girl name?

Powell is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Powell rising or falling?

Powell is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Powell

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

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