Find out how popular the first name Tell has been for the last 42 years (from 1982 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tell by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Tell is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tell.

The history of the first name Tell

The name Tell has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "tellan," which means "to count" or "to narrate." It was initially used as a surname for those who worked as accountants or storytellers. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 12th century.

One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Tell is William Tell, a legendary Swiss folk hero from the late 13th or early 14th century. According to the legend, he was an expert marksman who defied the Austrian bailiff Gessler by shooting an apple off his son's head with a crossbow. This act of defiance is said to have sparked the Swiss struggle for independence.

In the realm of literature, Tell appears as a character in Friedrich Schiller's play "Wilhelm Tell" (1804), which helped popularize the legend throughout Europe. The play was later adapted into an opera by Gioachino Rossini in 1829.

Another noteworthy individual named Tell was Thomas Tell, an English merchant and politician who lived from 1613 to 1669. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1663-1664 and was actively involved in the reconstruction efforts following the Great Fire of London in 1666.

In the field of art, Tell Hendrick (1616-1690) was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his still-life and genre paintings. His works often depicted scenes of everyday life and are considered valuable representations of 17th-century Dutch culture.

Moving to the 20th century, Tell Erthon (1874-1944) was a Norwegian painter and illustrator. He is particularly renowned for his illustrations of Norwegian folktales and his depictions of rural life in Norway.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Tell throughout history. While the name may not be as common today, its roots in Old English and its association with legendary figures and skilled artisans have contributed to its enduring legacy.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tell, 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!