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

Popularity of Drexel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Drexel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Drexel.

The history of the first name Drexel

The name Drexel is believed to have originated from the Old German word "trahsil," which means "thrush" or a type of songbird. This name first emerged in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century, in various regions of what is now modern-day Germany and Austria.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Drexel can be found in a 14th-century manuscript from the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria. The document mentions a certain "Drexel der Vogler," which translates to "Drexel the Bird Catcher." This suggests that the name may have been associated with occupations related to birds or fowling.

During the Renaissance period, the name Drexel gained some prominence in the German states. One notable figure was Johannes Drexel (1494-1567), a renowned theologian and author from Bavaria. He wrote several influential works on Catholic doctrine and spiritual guidance.

In the 17th century, the Drexel family became prominent in the banking and finance industry in Germany and Austria. The most famous member was Francis Martin Drexel (1792-1863), a successful banker and philanthropist who founded the Drexel banking house in Philadelphia, USA.

Another historically significant individual with the name Drexel was Saint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955), an American heiress who devoted her life and fortune to establishing schools and missions for Native Americans and African Americans. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2000.

In the 20th century, one of the most well-known figures with the name Drexel was Hubert R. Drexel (1906-1988), an American educator and businessman who served as the president of Drexel University in Philadelphia for over three decades, from 1945 to 1977.

It's worth noting that while the name Drexel has its roots in Germanic languages, it has also been adopted and used in other cultures and regions, particularly in the United States, due to the influence of notable individuals bearing this name.

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 Drexel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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