Jodell
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 813 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Parents who choose Jodell tend to be looking for something that feels real but not common — a name with 813 recorded births and a peak of 42 in 1956, enough history to feel legitimate without being ordinary.
The sharp, distinct ending gives Jodell a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Jodell is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jodell is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a creative compound blending Jo — a short form of Josephine or Joan, from the Hebrew Yosef or Yochanan meaning 'God will add' or 'God is gracious' — with Dell, meaning 'small valley.'
Jodell has the friendly, Southern American quality of compound nickname-names that were common in mid-twentieth-century America, especially in Texas and the surrounding states. Its easy two-syllable rhythm makes it immediately approachable.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Jodell is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1930–1984). Its Hebrew 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, Jodell’s 813 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Jodell has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jodell has 51+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1930.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 24 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 117 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 235 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 301 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 83 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 53 | — |
The Story of Jodell
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1956, Jodell is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Jodell are most likely born between 1946 and 1966.
How rare is Jodell?
With 813 total births on record, Jodell remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1930, peaked in the 1950s with 301 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Jodell by the numbers
- Would fill 17 school buses
- Meeting one Jodell per day would take 2.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(51 years, 1930–1984)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 6 | #9632 |
| 1982 | 5 | #11203 |
| 1981 | 8 | #7693 |
| 1980 | 5 | #11052 |
| 1979 | 7 | #8403 |
| 1978 | 11 | #5701 |
| 1977 | 14 | #4759 |
| 1976 | 6 | #8568 |
| 1975 | 17 | #3838 |
| 1974 | 12 | #4837 |
| 1973 | 9 | #5753 |
| 1972 | 8 | #6197 |
| 1971 | 13 | #4403 |
| 1970 | 20 | #3252 |
| 1969 | 26 | #2612 |
| 1968 | 28 | #2325 |
| 1967 | 18 | #3007 |
| 1966 | 19 | #2881 |
| 1965 | 28 | #2269 |
| 1964 | 21 | #2772 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jodell a boy's or girl's name?
When was Jodell most popular?
How popular is the name Jodell?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1930–1984