Purnell
Every Purnell since 1913 — 768 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Purnell
Purnell 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 1913, 768 American babies have been named Purnell. Its peak came in 1919, when 21 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 Purnell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Purnell 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | 6 | #11,833 |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #12,750 |
| 2003 | — | — | 6 | #10,532 |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | 8 | #6,831 |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,285 |
| 1985 | — | — | 5 | #7,320 |
| 1980 | — | — | 6 | #6,050 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | 13 | #2,708 |
| 1965 | — | — | 17 | #1,976 |
| 1960 | — | — | 8 | #3,270 |
| 1955 | — | — | 11 | #2,525 |
| 1950 | — | — | 8 | #2,964 |
| 1945 | — | — | 7 | #2,934 |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,674 |
| 1930 | — | — | 10 | #2,746 |
| 1925 | — | — | 10 | #2,893 |
| 1920 | — | — | 10 | #2,921 |
| 1915 | — | — | 11 | #2,420 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Purnell in 2025?
Purnell 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 Purnell?
768 babies have been named Purnell in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Purnell most popular?
Purnell peaked in 1919, when 21 newborns received the name.
Is Purnell a boy or girl name?
Purnell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Purnell rising or falling?
Purnell has been roughly stable over the past decade.