Burnell
Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 2,790 recorded births. Also given to 593 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Burnell is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from a surname derived from brun, meaning 'brown' — likely originally a nickname for someone with brown hair or a dark complexion. Transferred to given-name use primarily in the American South.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Burnell is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1906–2022). Its Old French roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Burnell’s 2,790 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Burnell has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Burnell has 102+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1906.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10 | #12491 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 34 | #10457 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 29 | #10320 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 88 | #5497 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 122 | #3708 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 148 | #2702 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 216 | #1798 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 364 | #1272 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 410 | #1063 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 467 | #940 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 562 | #918 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 326 | #1006 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 14 | #1151 | — |
The Story of Burnell
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Burnell is a name steeped in history. Boys named Burnell are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Burnell?
With 2,790 total births on record, Burnell remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1906, peaked in the 1920s with 562 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Burnell by the numbers
- Would fill 58 school buses
- Meeting one Burnell per day would take 7.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(102 years, 1906–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | #12656 |
| 2020 | 5 | #12326 |
| 2017 | 5 | #12571 |
| 2016 | 5 | #12487 |
| 2013 | 10 | #7615 |
| 2011 | 7 | #9767 |
| 2010 | 7 | #9847 |
| 2006 | 6 | #10856 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8244 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11121 |
| 2001 | 5 | #10796 |
| 2000 | 5 | #10582 |
| 1999 | 12 | #5353 |
| 1998 | 12 | #5188 |
| 1996 | 8 | #6577 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9043 |
| 1993 | 13 | #4476 |
| 1992 | 11 | #4915 |
| 1991 | 11 | #4799 |
| 1990 | 16 | #3624 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Burnell as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Burnell has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 593 births since 1912.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burnell a boy's or girl's name?
When was Burnell most popular?
How popular is the name Burnell?
Can Burnell be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1906–2022