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Cantrell
Pronounced KAN-truhl /ˈkæn.trəl/Medium
Meaning: Cantrell is an English and French surname carried into use as a given name; its deeper etymology is not firmly settled, with some sources linking it to Norman place-names, though this is not certain.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Cantrell began as an English and French surname before American parents adopted it as a first name, following the long-running fashion for turning family names into given names for sons. Its own deeper root is not firmly documented.
As a first name it has stayed rare, given to about eighteen boys a year even at its peak around 1979, with scattered use continuing into recent decades. A boy named Cantrell at peak would be in his mid-forties today.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Cantrell (born 1980s)American hip-hop artist known mononymously as Cantrell; given-name usage unconfirmed for this specific artist.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Cantrell mean?
It is an English and French surname carried into use as a first name; its deeper root is not firmly documented.
How do you pronounce Cantrell?
It is said KAN-truhl /ˈkæn.trəl/, two syllables with the stress on the first.
Is Cantrell a boy or girl name?
Cantrell is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Cantrell?
It has always been rare as a first name in the U.S., given to about eighteen boys a year even at its peak around 1979.