Find out how popular the first name Kael has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kael by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Kael is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Kael being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 102 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kael.

The history of the first name Kael

The name Kael has its origins in the Scandinavian region, particularly in Norway and Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse word "ketill," which means "cauldron" or "kettle." The name was initially used as a surname, referring to someone who worked as a maker or seller of cauldrons.

In the Viking era, between the 8th and 11th centuries, the name Kael was popular among the Norse people. It was often given to children born into families involved in metalworking or the crafting of household utensils. As the Norse people expanded their territories and settlements, the name spread across Scandinavia and eventually to other parts of Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kael can be found in the Norse sagas, which are prose narratives dating back to the 13th century. These sagas often mentioned characters with this name, reflecting its popularity during the Viking age.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kael. In the 11th century, Kael Eriksson was a Norwegian chieftain and one of the first settlers in Greenland. Another notable figure was Kael Halvardsson, a Norwegian nobleman who lived in the 12th century and served as a lendmann (vassal) under King Sverre Sigurdsson.

In more recent times, the name Kael gained prominence with the American film critic Pauline Kael (1919-2001), who had a significant influence on modern film criticism. Kael Rosten (1908-1959) was a renowned American writer and humorist, best known for his satirical works on American culture.

Other notable individuals with the name Kael include Kael Becker (born 1974), a Canadian actor and voice artist, and Kael Mouillierat (born 1988), a French professional ice hockey player.

While the name Kael has its roots in Scandinavia, it has gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its unique sound and connection to the Viking era have made it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with historical significance and a touch of adventure.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!