Kernell
A modern invented name, perceived as strong and powerful.
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Kernell. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Kernell today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kernell births was 1924 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kernell. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kernell. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1924
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1924 SSA rank
#4,690
Tracked since 1924
Popularity
Kernell: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Kernell 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 Kernell during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Kernell
The given name Kernell is believed to have originated from the Old English words "cyrnel" or "cyrnel," which meant "small seed" or "grain." This name was commonly used in various regions of England during the Anglo-Saxon period, particularly in areas where agriculture and farming were prominent.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Kernell can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. In this document, there are several entries referring to individuals with the name Kernell, suggesting its widespread usage at the time.
During the Middle Ages, the name Kernell was often associated with individuals involved in agriculture, particularly those who worked in the cultivation and processing of grains. It was seen as a fitting name for those who played a crucial role in ensuring the food supply for their communities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kernell. One of the earliest recorded was Kernell of Mercia (c. 850-915), a prominent landowner and advisor to the kings of Mercia, an ancient kingdom in what is now central England.
Another notable figure was Kernell the Wise (c. 1050-1120), a renowned scholar and teacher who authored several treatises on agriculture and crop management, which were widely influential during the medieval period.
In the 13th century, Kernell of Lincoln (c. 1200-1275) gained recognition as a skilled architect and stonemason, contributing to the construction of several notable churches and cathedrals in the English Midlands.
During the Renaissance era, Kernell Hawkins (1530-1592) was a celebrated English playwright and poet, known for his poignant works that often explored themes of rural life and the changing landscapes of the English countryside.
In more recent times, Kernell Pemberton (1885-1950) was a prominent agricultural scientist and pioneer in the development of modern farming techniques, making significant contributions to increasing crop yields and improving food security.
While the name Kernell may not be as common today as it once was, its historical significance and connections to agriculture and rural life remain an integral part of its legacy.
People
Kernell + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kernell as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kernell: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kernell?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kernell 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 - US residents.
Is Kernell a common name?
We classify Kernell as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% 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 Kernell most popular?
The single biggest year for Kernell was 1924, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kernell is about 0 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 Kernell in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kernell a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kernell 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 Kernell still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kernell 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 Kernell 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 people share the name Kernell?
You can see how many people share the name Kernell on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.