Find out how popular the first name Chanel has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chanel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Chanel is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Chanel being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 204 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Chanel.

The history of the first name Chanel

The given name Chanel is a relatively modern name that originates from the French language and culture. It is derived from the surname of the famous French fashion designer Coco Chanel, whose real name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel. Born in 1883, she was a pioneering figure in the fashion industry and is credited with establishing the iconic Chanel brand.

Despite its association with the renowned fashion designer, the name Chanel does not have any known historical references or appearances in ancient texts, religious scriptures, or historical records. Its usage as a given name is thought to have emerged in the 20th century, likely inspired by the success and fame of Coco Chanel and her fashion empire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chanel being used as a first name is Chanel Iman, an American fashion model born in 1990. She has walked the runway for numerous high-profile fashion shows and has graced the covers of various international magazines.

Another notable bearer of the name Chanel is Chanel West Coast, an American rapper and television personality born in 1988. She rose to fame as a co-host on the MTV reality series Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and has released several successful rap albums.

In the literary world, Chanel Cleeton is an American author born in 1986, known for her historical fiction novels set in mid-20th century Cuba and Florida.

Chanel Terrero is a Cuban-American singer and songwriter born in 1989, who has gained recognition for her soulful R&B and pop music.

Chanel Cartell is a South African actress born in 1982, known for her roles in various television series and films produced in South Africa.

While the name Chanel has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the fashion and entertainment industries, its usage as a given name is relatively new and can be traced back to the influence and legacy of the iconic Coco Chanel and her eponymous fashion brand.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chanel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chanel, please contact us.

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