Powell

Q: What is the origin of Powell?

Powell is of Welsh origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Powell a boy name?

Powell is traditionally a boy name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

male

Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Son of Hywel"

Historically a Welsh patronymic surname, it appears as a given name particularly in English speaking communities influenced by surname usage.

Themes:patronymicwelshsurnamemale

Unique Rare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Powell

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#8145Ranked in 2024

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#8145

Powell was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

-41

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Powell Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Powell.

8 ideas

powe

Nickname

well

Nickname

elly

Nickname

powy

Nickname

wely

Nickname

pie

Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Powell

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Powell, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

15 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Powell mean?

Powell means "Son of Hywel". Historically a Welsh patronymic surname, it appears as a given name particularly in English speaking communities influen

What is the origin of Powell?

Powell is of Welsh origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Powell?

According to the latest SSA data, Powell is currently ranked #8145 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Powell a boy name?

Powell is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Powell?

Popular nicknames for Powell include powe, well, elly, powy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Powell?

There are many names similar to Powell in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginWelsh, English

Syllables2

Length6 letters

US Rank#8145

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withP

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Avon Alwyn Aeron Arth Arvon

Sisters

Arwen Ardyth Avon Arwyn Aerilyn

Explore More Boy Names Like Powell

Powell has Welsh roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Welsh baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Powell appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Traditional English Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls and Baby Names Starting with P.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Powell pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Powell beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.