Purcell
Every Purcell since 1915 — 454 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Purcell
Purcell 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 1915, 454 American babies have been named Purcell. Its peak came in 1948, when 13 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Purcell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Purcell year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys 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 | 7 | #5,596 |
| 1980 | 5 | #7,025 |
| 1975 | 8 | #4,208 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 9 | #2,934 |
| 1960 | 10 | #2,822 |
| 1955 | 13 | #2,287 |
| 1950 | 9 | #2,727 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #3,383 |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,187 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,331 |
| 1920 | 11 | #2,726 |
| 1915 | 8 | #3,008 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Purcell in 2025?
Purcell 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 Purcell?
454 babies have been named Purcell in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Purcell most popular?
Purcell peaked in 1948, when 13 newborns received the name.
Is Purcell a boy or girl name?
Purcell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Purcell rising or falling?
Purcell has been roughly stable over the past decade.