Find out how popular the first name Newell has been for the last 46 years (from 1974 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Newell by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Newell is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Newell.

The history of the first name Newell

The name Newell is a variant of the English surname Newall or Newell, which is derived from the Old English words "niwe" meaning "new" and "walh" meaning "stranger" or "foreigner". It likely originated as a descriptive nickname given to someone who had recently arrived in a particular area.

The name Newell first appeared in historical records in England during the late 12th century. One of the earliest recorded instances is from the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166, which mention a person named Neuuallus de Sculecotes.

In the 13th century, a prominent figure named Newell served as the Archbishop of York from 1265 to 1285. He played a significant role in the political and ecclesiastical affairs of England during the reign of King Henry III.

Another notable individual with the name Newell was Samuel Newell, an American missionary and educator who lived from 1784 to 1821. He was one of the first American missionaries to India and helped establish several educational institutions there.

In the literary world, Robert Henry Newell (1836-1901) was a distinguished American author and folklorist. He is best known for his works on Native American folklore and myths, particularly his book "The Mythology of the Oglala Sioux".

During the 20th century, one of the most famous people with the name Newell was Newell Convers Wyeth (1882-1945), an influential American artist and illustrator. He is renowned for his illustrations in classic works such as "Treasure Island" and "The Last of the Mohicans".

Another notable figure was Newell Norman Fowler (1909-1971), an American engineer and businessman who played a crucial role in the development of the microwave oven. He patented several inventions related to microwave technology while working for Raytheon.

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

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

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