Purcell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	42	4	–	#2,690
1920s	91	9	+117%	#2,495
1930s	54	5	-41%	#2,336
1940s	65	7	+20%	#2,193
1950s	83	8	+28%	#2,287
1960s	61	6	-27%	#2,822
1970s	34	3	-44%	#4,208
1980s	24	2	-29%	#5,436
1990s	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,690

1920s

+117%

#2,495

1930s

-41%

#2,336

1940s

+20%

#2,193

1950s

+28%

#2,287

1960s

-27%

#2,822

1970s

-44%

#4,208

1980s

-29%

#5,436

1990s

–

2000s

–

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

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.

How old are people named Purcell?

The median living Purcell is about 65 years old; half are between 54 and 74. An estimated 200 people named Purcell 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.

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

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

How old is the average Purcell?

The median living Purcell is about 65 years old. Half of all living Purcells are between 54 and 74 years old.

How many people named Purcell are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Purcell are alive in the United States, based on 454 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Purcell

Purcell popularity over time

The story of Purcell

How old are people named Purcell?

Purcell year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Purcell