Boy Names Ending in -el or -ell (that aren't Biblical)

Russell

French

"redhead, fox-colored"

One of many R- boys' names that started as a nickname for a redhead, Russell had a measure of popularity from the early twentieth century through the 1950s. After a low point in the 2010s, Russell is…

Noel

French

"Christmas"

Noel is British, fey, and sophisticated, connoting wit and creativity, much like namesake Noel Coward. Noel has also been a character on Felicity and Pretty Little Liars . Thanks to their association…

Lionel

Latin

"young lion"

Lionel is one leonine name that hasn't taken off as cousins Leo and Leonardo have, though it did reenter the Top 1000 in 2010 after several years away; it was at its highest point in the 1920s and…

Marcel

French variation of Marcellus

"little warrior"

Marcel, despite distinguished namesakes including Proust and Duchamp, suffers from a terminal headwaiter image in this country. But along with its sister name Marcella and French variation (and…

Denzel

Cornish

"from the high stronghold"

This old Cornish name took on a whole new identity via Denzel Washington, who has inspired several thousand namesakes. The actor was named after his father, who was named for a Dr. Denzel, who…

Kentrell

Kentrell appears to be a modern given name whose origins are not clearly documented in traditional naming resources. The name may have emerged as a creative combination of the prefix 'Ken-' (found in…

Fidel

Latin

"faithful"

The association with the Cuban leader Castro is still strong, but he's by no means the only Fidel. This name was in the Top 1000 for over 80 years, from 1919 to 2005. From the late Latin name…

Cael

Irish

"slender"

Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale…

Cordell

English occupational name

"maker or seller of rope or cord"

This is a name that deserves more attention. Cordell is an occupational name that, through its similarity in sound to Cornell, Denzel, Dashiell, Boswell and Maxwell, feels both on-trend and upmarket.

Nigel

Irish

"dark, black-haired"

A name that Yanks might see as overly British, but combined with the right surname, it does have a measure of Sherlock Holmesian dash via Nigel Bruce, who played the original Dr. Watson to Basil…

Wendell

German, English

"wanderer; to travel, to proceed"

This name has hardly been used since Wendell Willkie ran for president in 1940, and it may not quite be ready for revival yet. Still, clunky grandpa names like Lionel, Douglas, Benedict, Carl, and…

Dashiell

Anglicization of French surname de Chiel, meaning unknown

Dashiell, though missing from many other name sources, is among the hottest new names, chosen by such celebs as Cate Blanchett and author Helen ( Bridget Jones ) Fielding. With its great dash and…

Darnell

English

"the hidden spot"

Like so many names starting with Dar- (e.g. Darcy, Darius, and Darbey) this name feels so suave and aristocratic. British musician Darnell Bristol went by nickname Dee.

Lowell

French

"young wolf"

Lowell is an upstanding and somewhat conservative name that calls to mind the genteel patrician families of nineteenth century New England, such as the one poet Robert Lowell was born into. Two other…

Ciel

French

"sky"

Heavenly French word name used for both sexes.

Revel

English word name

"rejoice"

A joyous (if a little rowdy) word name that's still relatively undiscovered by parents, being given to about 10 babies of each sex per year. Glee actor Matthew Morrison named his son Revel in 2017.

Adel

Persian, Arabic, German

"fair, honest; noble"

As a Persian and Arabic name, Adel derives from adala meaning "to act justly", linking it to honesty and fairness — aspirational qualities for anyone to possess. From its Germanic origins, Adel comes…

Marvel

English word name

"to be filled with wonder or astonishment"

Marvel, once a feminine miracle name, has been resurrected as a unisex word name with a dose of superhero style.

Ociel

Spanish

"heavenly, from the sky"

A modern choice, blending the sounds of Ciel, Ozias, and Ocean, Ociel is predominantly used in Mexico, Chile, and Brazil. With a celestial and a nature related meaning, Ociel saw a slight increase in…

Edel

German

"noble"

Rarely used independently, it's more often the start of a multisyllabic German mouthful.