Arvel
A boy's name of Welsh origin with 2,202 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of arval.
Arvel is a boy's baby name of Welsh origin, possibly derived from the Welsh araf meaning 'calm' or from an old English term for a funeral feast. Used in the American South and Appalachian regions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Arvel belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Welsh naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Welsh names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Arvel’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arvel has 85+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1894.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | #12197 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 12 | #7364 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 14 | #5233 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 84 | #3647 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 127 | #2481 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 158 | #2067 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 291 | #1304 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 401 | #1035 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 591 | #895 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 433 | #846 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 66 | #961 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 20 | #928 | — |
The Story of Arvel
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Arvel is a name steeped in history. Boys named Arvel are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Arvel?
With 2,202 total births on record, Arvel remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1894, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 591 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Arvel by the numbers
- Would fill 46 school buses
- Meeting one Arvel per day would take 6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(85 years, 1894–2006)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 | #12197 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7487 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7240 |
| 1987 | 7 | #5496 |
| 1980 | 7 | #4970 |
| 1978 | 10 | #3632 |
| 1977 | 9 | #3853 |
| 1976 | 8 | #4034 |
| 1975 | 10 | #3447 |
| 1974 | 5 | #5271 |
| 1973 | 9 | #3468 |
| 1972 | 8 | #3639 |
| 1971 | 14 | #2573 |
| 1970 | 11 | #2903 |
| 1969 | 18 | #1984 |
| 1968 | 9 | #2922 |
| 1967 | 11 | #2481 |
| 1966 | 10 | #2633 |
| 1965 | 8 | #2998 |
| 1964 | 12 | #2418 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arvel a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arvel most popular?
How popular is the name Arvel?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1894–2006