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Home › Baby Names Directory › Burnell

Burnell

♂ Boy

Pronounced bur-NEL /bɚˈnɛl/Medium

Meaning: Burnell comes from an Anglo-Norman surname, Brunel, a diminutive of brun, 'brown,' so 'little brown one,' usually of hair or complexion. Carried into English as a surname, it became an American given name in the early twentieth century.Low

In 30 seconds: Burnell is an Anglo-Norman surname, 'little brown one' (said 'bur-NEL'). A steady early-1900s boys' name.
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Origin LowFrench, English
MeaningBurnell comes from an Anglo-Norman surname, Brunel, a diminutive of brun, 'brown,' so 'little brown one,' usually of hair or complexion. Carried into English as a surname, it became an American given name in the early twentieth century.
U.S. rank (2022)#12656 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,790

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192019062022

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Burnell is from the Anglo-Norman surname Brunel, 'little brown one,' from Old French brun. It appeared as an American given name in the early twentieth century and peaked around 1920, later carried on quietly into recent decades.

A Burnell from the peak would be past a hundred, though the name lingered long enough to span several generations. It has not revived, but its -nell music keeps it in company with names still in gentle use.

Did you know? Burnell rhymes and rides with Darnell, Purnell and Cornell — the -nell surname-names that gave American boys a smooth, dignified sound across the mid-century.
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Burnell — Anglo-Norman surname Brunel ('little brown one')

Variations

BurnelBrunell

Nicknames

BurnieNell

Famous Bearers

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If you like Burnell…

Darnell— a like -nell surname-name of the era
Cornell— a like dignified -nell boys' name
Kendall— shares Burnell's English roots
Darrell— the same vintage feel
Kendell— the same surname-name feel

Explore names like Burnell

By themevintagesurname-namefrenchmasculine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Burnell mean?

Burnell is from an Anglo-Norman surname meaning 'little brown one.'

How do you pronounce Burnell?

It's said bur-NEL /bɚˈnɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Burnell a boy or girl name?

Burnell is used as a boy's name, drawn from a surname.

How popular is Burnell?

Burnell was a modest but steady boys' name that peaked around nineteen-twenty and has been rare since.

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