Powell is a name of Welsh origin and it means "small". It is derived from the Welsh word "pwll", which means "pool" or "pit". The name Powell has been associated with many notable individuals throughout history, such as the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas who was born in Swansea in 1914. His father, David Johnstons Powell, gave him his middle name in honor of their family's Welsh heritage.
The name Powell has also been used by many other notable figures including the American actor and film director Tyne Daly Powell, who is known for her role as Detective Mary Beth Lacey on the television series "Cagney & Lacey". Additionally, the name Powell has been used by many prominent politicians such as Colin Powell, a retired United States Army General and former United States Secretary of State.
Throughout history, the name Powell has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. It is unclear when the name began to be used outside of Wales, but it is believed that it became more popular in other parts of the world during the 20th century as Welsh immigrants settled in new communities and brought their cultural heritage with them.
Today, Powell remains a popular choice for parents looking for a strong and distinctive name for their children. It is a name that has stood the test of time and continues to be associated with success and achievement. Whether you're drawn to the name Powell because of its Welsh origins or because of the notable individuals who have borne it throughout history, this powerful and unique name is sure to make a lasting impression.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Powell in the United States from 1883 to 2023, it is clear that this name has seen a fluctuating trend over time. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name Powell ranged between five and ten per year, with some years having as many as 25 or even 32 births.
However, starting from the 1940s, there was a noticeable decline in the popularity of the name Powell. The annual number of births with this name dropped significantly, with only eight births recorded in 1943 and ten births each year between 1945 and 1947.
This downward trend continued through the 1950s, 1960s, and even into the 1970s, with the lowest point being just five births per year in several years during this period. However, there were some brief periods of increased popularity for Powell during these decades, such as a peak of 14 births in 1958.
Since the late 1980s, the popularity of the name Powell has shown signs of rebounding slightly. While it still does not reach the heights seen in earlier decades, there are now consistently around ten births per year with this name. The most recent data shows that there were 12 births in 2022 and 10 births in both 2023.
In total, over the course of these 1466 years, there have been a combined 1466 births registered with the name Powell in the United States. This demonstrates that while Powell may not be among the most popular names today, it has nonetheless retained some level of popularity throughout history and continues to be chosen by parents for their children.