GirlOld English origin2 syllables
Ethel
Meaning: “noble”
About the name Ethel
Ethel is a girl name with Old English roots, meaning “noble”.
It has a vintage, unique feel. In 2025, Ethel ranked #4211 for girls in the US, with 34 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1940. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Ethel were girls.
Etymology
From Old English, meaning “noble”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Ethel”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #4211
- In 2015
- #9129
- Babies in 2025
- 34
Popularity of Ethel, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Names similar to Ethel
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.