Burrell
A boy's name of Old French origin with 1,475 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Old French.
Burrell is a boy's baby name of Old French origin, derived from an Old French surname meaning 'brownish-red cloth' — a reference to the rough fabric worn by common people, from burel.
Burrell follows the American tradition of using distinguished surnames as masculine given names. It carries a solid, unpretentious character — and is associated with Kenny Burrell, one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century, who brought the name a cool, musical resonance.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Burrell's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Burrell follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Burrell's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Burrell has 96+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1881.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 27 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 31 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 57 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 93 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 132 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 200 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 257 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 301 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 235 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 52 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 47 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 37 | — |
The Story of Burrell
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1919, Burrell is a name steeped in history. Boys named Burrell are most likely born between 1909 and 1929.
How rare is Burrell?
With 1,475 total births on record, Burrell remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1881, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 301 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Burrell by the numbers
- Would fill 31 school buses
- Meeting one Burrell per day would take 4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(96 years, 1881–2001)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 | #9424 |
| 1996 | 5 | #9186 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7537 |
| 1991 | 8 | #6015 |
| 1990 | 8 | #5901 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7064 |
| 1986 | 5 | #6865 |
| 1982 | 7 | #5091 |
| 1981 | 7 | #5014 |
| 1980 | 6 | #5608 |
| 1979 | 5 | #6174 |
| 1978 | 7 | #4616 |
| 1977 | 5 | #5954 |
| 1976 | 5 | #5713 |
| 1974 | 7 | #4239 |
| 1972 | 5 | #5078 |
| 1971 | 8 | #3700 |
| 1970 | 15 | #2411 |
| 1969 | 6 | #4000 |
| 1968 | 13 | #2333 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrell a boy's or girl's name?
When was Burrell most popular?
How popular is the name Burrell?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2001