Drexel is a unique and distinctive given name of German origin. It is derived from the German surname "Drexler," which was an occupational name for a maker of tripe, a type of sausage made from the edible lining of a cow or pig's stomach. The name Drexler is believed to have originated in the region of Bavaria in southern Germany.
The meaning behind the name Drexel is not entirely clear, as it does not appear to be derived from any known German word or element. However, some sources suggest that it may be a variant spelling of the German name "Droßler," which means "turner" or "woodworker."
Throughout history, the name Drexel has been carried by notable figures in various fields. One of the most famous bearers of this name is the American entrepreneur and philanthropist Drexel Burnham Lambert. Born into a wealthy family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel Burnham Lambert went on to become one of the leading investment bankers of his time, playing a significant role in the development of the modern financial industry.
Another notable figure with the name Drexel is the German-American architect Philip Johnson, born Philipp Freidrich Vogt. Known for his influential contributions to the development of the International Style of architecture, Johnson later adopted the surname Drexler as his own.
In popular culture, the name Drexel has also appeared in various forms of media and entertainment. For instance, it was used as the name of a fictional character in the 2013 film "Her," played by Olivia Wilde.
Today, Drexel remains a relatively uncommon given name, but it continues to be associated with success, innovation, and achievement due to its notable historical figures. Despite its unique origins and meaning, the name Drexel has gained recognition as a distinctive and appealing choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet memorable name for their child.
The name Drexel has had a varied history of usage in the United States over the past century. In the early part of this period, there was an initial peak of popularity around the year 1920 with seven births recorded that year. However, the usage then declined, with only five or six births recorded annually between 1914 and 1938.
Despite its ups and downs in popularity over these years, Drexel has maintained a consistent presence in the U.S., with at least one birth per year on average during this time frame. In total, there were forty births of the name Drexel in the United States between 1914 and 1943.
It's important to note that these statistics reflect only the years for which data is available and may not necessarily be indicative of overall popularity trends for the name Drexel throughout the entire twentieth century or beyond. Nevertheless, they do provide a snapshot into how frequently this unique name was given to newborns in America during these specific decades.