Meshell
A feminine name derived from Michelle, with possible origins in Hebrew or French.
Name Census estimates that about 444 living Americans carry the first name Meshell. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Meshell today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Meshell births was 1966 (35 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Meshell. 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.
People living today
444
~ 1 in 771,969 Americans
Peak year
1966
35 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
2008 SSA rank
#19,496
Tracked since 1958
Popularity
Meshell: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Meshell from the 1950s through to the 2000s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 167 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Meshell 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 Meshell during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Meshells live
Origin
Meaning and history of Meshell
The name Meshell is a relatively modern variant of the name Michelle, which has its origins in the French language. Michelle is derived from the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?" or "gift from God." The name was initially used for males in biblical times but later became a popular feminine name, particularly in France.
The earliest recorded use of the name Meshell dates back to the late 20th century, with one of the earliest notable figures being American singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello, born in 1968. Ndegeocello is known for her fusion of various musical genres, including funk, soul, and alternative rock, and her socially conscious lyrics.
Another prominent individual with the name Meshell is Meshell Miller, an American actress born in 1966. Miller is best known for her roles in television shows such as "The Hughley's" and "Sistas."
In the literary world, Meshell Ndegeocello has also made an impact, contributing to the audiobook adaptation of the novel "Beloved" by Toni Morrison.
While the name Meshell is not as common as its traditional counterpart, Michelle, it has gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in the United States. The name's unique spelling and pronunciation have made it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a variation on the classic Michelle.
Despite its relatively recent emergence, the name Meshell carries the same symbolic meaning as Michael and Michelle, representing a gift from God or divine strength. Its connection to individuals in the arts, music, and literature has contributed to its cultural significance and appeal.
People
Meshell + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Meshell as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Meshell: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Meshell?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 444 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Meshell 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 771,969 US residents.
Is Meshell a common name?
We classify Meshell as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 497 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Meshell most popular?
The single biggest year for Meshell was 1966, when 35 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Meshell is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Meshell a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Meshell in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.