Fennell
A feminine name derived from the Old English words for "marsh" and "hill".
Name Census estimates that about 4 living Americans carry the first name Fennell. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Fennell today is around 68 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Fennell births was 1960 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Fennell. 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 Fennell is about 68 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Fennells were born before 1968.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Fennell. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
4
~ 1 in 85,688,585 Americans
Peak year
1960
5 babies that year
Average age
68
years old
1960 SSA rank
#4,229
Tracked since 1960
Popularity
Fennell: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Fennell 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 Fennell during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Fennell
The name Fennell is believed to have originated from the Old English word "fennel," which refers to the herb of the same name. This herb, with its distinct aroma and flavor, was widely used in ancient times for various culinary and medicinal purposes.
The earliest recorded use of the name Fennell can be traced back to the 13th century in England. During this period, it was common for people to be named after plants, herbs, or occupations associated with them. The name Fennell likely emerged as a reference to someone who cultivated or worked with the fennel plant.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Fennell was John Fennell, a merchant from London who lived during the late 15th century. Historical records mention his involvement in trade with the Netherlands and his contributions to the city's economic growth.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Robert Fennell gained recognition as a skilled physician and herbalist. His work on the medicinal properties of various plants, including fennel, was widely acclaimed and influenced the development of herbal medicine during that time.
During the 17th century, a prominent English clergyman named William Fennell made significant contributions to the Church of England. He served as the Rector of St. Michael's Church in Oxford and was known for his scholarly writings on theology and religious matters.
In the 18th century, a Scottish poet and playwright named James Fennell gained recognition for his literary works. His play "The Tragedy of Macbeth" was widely acclaimed and helped popularize the name Fennell among literary circles.
Another notable individual bearing the name Fennell was Edward Fennell, a British explorer and adventurer who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his daring expeditions to remote regions of Africa and his detailed accounts of the landscapes and cultures he encountered.
Throughout history, the name Fennell has been associated with individuals from various backgrounds, including scholars, artists, and pioneers. While its origins can be traced back to the humble fennel plant, the name has gained a unique identity and has been carried by many remarkable individuals who have left their mark on various fields.
People
Fennell + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Fennell as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with F
Other first names starting with F with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Fennell: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Fennell?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 4 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Fennell 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 85,688,585 US residents.
Is Fennell a common name?
We classify Fennell as "Very Rare". It ranks above 6.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Fennell most popular?
The single biggest year for Fennell was 1960, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Fennell is about 68 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 Fennell in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Fennell a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Fennell 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 Fennell still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Fennell 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 Fennell 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 many Americans are named Fennell?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.