Zell
Every Zell since 1898 — 583 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Zell
Zell 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 1898, 583 American babies have been named Zell — about 63% girls and 37% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1925, when 29 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Zell stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Zell 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 | — | — | 5 | #14,185 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | 5 | #14,032 |
| 2019 | — | — | 5 | #14,110 |
| 2018 | — | — | 5 | #14,087 |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | 9 | #8,732 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 10 | #8,114 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #12,261 |
| 2011 | — | — | 5 | #14,339 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | 5 | #14,516 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 5 | #14,377 |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #12,478 |
| 2001 | — | — | 7 | #9,238 |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | 5 | #7,290 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,727 | 5 | #4,399 |
| 1950 | 5 | #6,105 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,741 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #5,244 | — | — |
| 1925 | 21 | #1,945 | 8 | #3,407 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,898 | — | — |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,899 | 8 | #3,081 |
| 1910 | 7 | #2,137 | — | — |
| 1905 | 11 | #1,237 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Zell
- Zell Miller Politician · 1932–2018
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Zell in 2025?
Zell 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 Zell?
583 babies have been named Zell in the United States since 1898, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Zell most popular?
Zell peaked in 1925, when 29 newborns received the name.
Is Zell a boy or girl name?
Zell is used for both: about 63% of babies named Zell have been girls and 37% boys.
Is the name Zell rising or falling?
Zell has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Zell?
Well-known people named Zell include Zell Miller (politician).