Ethel is a girl name with a classic feel, drawn from real birth records.
| Country | Births on record |
|---|---|
| United States since 1880 | 280,412 births |
| England & Wales since 1996 | 319 births |
| Ireland since 1964 | 178 births |
Counts come from national birth registrations: the U.S. Social Security Administration, England & Wales (ONS) and Ireland (CSO). Coverage spans differ, so totals aren't directly comparable across countries.
Babies named Ethel per year — United States (1880–2025). United States peaked in 1918 (8,110/yr) · England & Wales peaked in 2024 (36/yr) · Ireland peaked in 1969 (17/yr).
Ethel reached its peak in 1918, when it was the #51 most popular baby name in the United States — making it a quintessential 1910s name.
Not sure if it's the one? The best way to know is to see if your partner loves it too. Swipe baby names with your partner and match on the ones you both ❤️ — free, no account needed to start.
Find your name together →