Powell
Boy name · Celtic · English · Welsh
Meaningson of Hywel · Welsh
- US rank
- #8,243
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #841 in 1891
9 babies were named Powell in the US in 2025. It has climbed 1,311 places in five years.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
US births per million boys, 1883–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Powell you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 188,679 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Powell, 9 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Powell would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryPowell first shows up in US birth records in 1883, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 142 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1891, when it ranked #841. Today it's #8,243, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendPowell has climbed 1,311 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #8,243. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- MeaningIn Welsh, Powell means “son of Hywel”. Our records link it to Celtic, English and Welsh roots.
About the name Powell
Powell is a boy name of Celtic, English and Welsh origin meaning “son of Hywel”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with P and ending in “-ell”. US birth records list Powell for boys from 1883 to 2025, in 121 of those 143 years. Its best year was 1891, when it ranked #841 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #8,243, with 9 babies.
Origin:Celtic namesEnglish namesWelsh names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 13 | 78,475 boys |
| 1890s | 29 | 34,795 boys |
| 1900s | 32 | 30,836 boys |
| 1910s | 25 | 40,371 boys |
| 1920s | 19 | 52,966 boys |
| 1930s | 18 | 54,705 boys |
| 1940s | 12 | 81,367 boys |
| 1950s | 6.7 | 148,588 boys |
| 1960s | 6.1 | 163,132 boys |
| 1970s | 2.3 | 429,185 boys |
| 1980s | 3.0 | 332,226 boys |
| 1990s | 3.6 | 280,899 boys |
| 2000s | 4.4 | 225,225 boys |
| 2010s | 4.6 | 215,517 boys |
| 2020s | 5.7 | 175,439 boys |
More Celtic boy names
- Unisex name: Owen · well-born
- Unisex name: Logan · little hollow
- Unisex name: Rowan · little red-haired one
- Unisex name: Nolan · descendant of Nuallán
- Unisex name: Cameron · crooked nose
- Boy name: Ian · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Gael · a Gael
- Boy name: Arthur · possibly bear
Questions about the name Powell
What does the name Powell mean?
Powell means “son of Hywel” in Welsh.
What is the origin of the name Powell?
Powell has Celtic, English, Welsh roots in our records. Other Celtic names include Owen, Logan, Rowan.
Is Powell a boy or girl name?
Powell is a boy name.
How popular is the name Powell?
Powell ranked #8,243 for US boys in 2025, given to 9 babies. Its best year was 1891 (#841).