All about the name

Lynell

Female

« Lynell is a rare, unisex name of American origin, derived from Old English words meaning 'lake' and 'clearing', popularized during the late 19th century among African American families in the Southern United States. »

#4654 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Lynell is a name of American origin, derived from the surname Lynn or Lane. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English words "lynn" meaning lake and "leah" meaning clearing in the woods. Therefore, Lynell could be interpreted as someone who lives by a lake in the woods. The name Lynell was popularized during the late 19th century and early 20th century, with many African American families adopting it as a given name for their children. It was particularly common among families living in the Southern United States during this time period. Over time, Lynell has become more widely recognized as an unisex name, though it is still predominantly associated with males. Today, it is relatively rare but continues to be used occasionally, particularly within African American communities. In terms of its popularity, Lynell has never ranked among the top 1000 names in the United States since record-keeping began in the late 1800s. However, it remains a distinctive and unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon name with an interesting origin story. In summary, Lynell is a name of American origin that likely evolved from Old English words meaning lake and clearing in the woods. It was popularized during the late 19th century and early 20th century among African American families living in the Southern United States. Today, it is still relatively rare but continues to be used occasionally as an unisex name.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Lynell since 1880

Total births
1,961
Total since 1880
Peak year
1971
89 births
in 2008
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years