Deverl
An anglicized form of a Scottish surname meaning "a stream; a small river."
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Deverl. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Deverl today is around 99 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Deverl births was 1912 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Deverl. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Deverl is about 99 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Deverls were born before 1937.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Deverl. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1912
5 babies that year
Average age
99
years old
1938 SSA rank
#3,650
Tracked since 1912
Popularity
Deverl: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Deverl from the 1910s through to the 1930s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1930s, with 10 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Deverl by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Deverl during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Deverl
The name Deverl is an unusual and distinctive given name that has its roots in the ancient Celtic languages. Its origins can be traced back to the early medieval period in the British Isles, particularly among the Celtic tribes that inhabited the regions of modern-day Wales, Cornwall, and parts of northern England.
The name is believed to be derived from the Old Brythonic word "defriol," which means "brave" or "courageous." This suggests that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals who displayed exceptional valor and bravery in battle or during times of conflict. The name's spelling has evolved over the centuries, with variations such as "Deverill," "Deverel," and "Deverill" appearing in historical records.
While the name Deverl is not commonly found in ancient texts or religious scriptures, there are a few historical references to individuals bearing this name. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Deverl ap Gwillym, a Welsh warrior who fought alongside Owain Glyndŵr in the early 15th century during the Welsh Revolt against English rule.
Another notable figure was Deverl Fitzwilliam, a Norman-Welsh nobleman who lived in the 12th century and was known for his participation in the conquest of Ireland. His descendants, the Fitzwilliam family, played a significant role in the governance of Ireland for several centuries.
In the 16th century, Deverl Ap Rhys was a prominent Welsh poet and bard who composed works in the traditional bardic style, celebrating the cultural heritage and history of Wales. His poetic works were highly regarded and helped preserve the Welsh language and literary traditions during a time of significant cultural upheaval.
During the English Civil War in the 17th century, Deverl Cromwell, a distant relative of Oliver Cromwell, served as a captain in the Parliamentarian forces. He was known for his unwavering loyalty to the Parliamentarian cause and his bravery in numerous battles against the Royalists.
In the 18th century, Deverl Hayden was an Irish-born explorer and adventurer who traveled extensively throughout the American colonies and the Caribbean. His detailed accounts of his journeys and encounters with indigenous peoples provided valuable insights into the cultural and natural landscapes of the time.
While the name Deverl is not as common today as it once was, it remains a unique and evocative name with a rich historical heritage rooted in the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. Its associations with bravery, valor, and cultural preservation continue to make it a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with a strong connection to the past.
People
Deverl + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Deverl as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Deverl: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Deverl?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Deverl going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 171,377,169 US residents.
Is Deverl a common name?
We classify Deverl as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 15 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Deverl most popular?
The single biggest year for Deverl was 1912, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Deverl is about 99 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Deverl in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Deverl a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Deverl in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Deverl still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Deverl in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Deverl can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Deverl?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.