Ercel

♀ Girl

Pronounced UR-suhl /ˈɜrsəl/Low

Meaning: Ercel is an early-twentieth-century American name given to both girls and boys, of uncertain origin. It may relate to Ursel, a short form of Ursula, 'little bear,' or to the surname-derived Hershel. Like many homespun names of its era, its route is not settled.Low

In 30 seconds: Ercel is a vintage American name for girls and boys, of uncertain origin, perhaps linked to Ursel or Hershel. It was never common and peaked in the nineteen-twenties (said UR-suhl).

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Origin LowEnglish, American

MeaningErcel is an early-twentieth-century American name given to both girls and boys, of uncertain origin. It may relate to Ursel, a short form of Ursula, 'little bear,' or to the surname-derived Hershel. Like many homespun names of its era, its route is not settled.

U.S. rank (1941)#4615 ↘ Falling

1941 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 186

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

Ercel is an early-1900s American name used across genders, its origin uncertain. It may tie to Ursel, from Ursula, 'little bear,' or to Hershel, but no single route is confirmed, and it belongs to the era's cluster of homespun coinages.

It was always rare, given to only about sixteen girls a year even at its peak in the nineteen-twenties. A girl named Ercel then would be a great-grandmother today.

Did you know? Ercel is one of the many short, plainspoken names that dotted rural American birth records in the early nineteen-hundreds and then all but disappeared, leaving little trace of a fixed meaning.

Overall data confidence 28%

References - Ercel — Vintage American cross-sex name; possible tie to Ursel/Hershel; uncertain

Variations

ErcellUrselErcil

Nicknames

ErcCel

Famous Bearers

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If you like Ercel…

Ercell— a like spelling of the same name

Hershel— a name it may relate to

Ethel— a like plain vintage name

Oral— a similar unisex early-1900s name

Explore names like Ercel

By themeuncertain rare vintage cross-sex

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ercel mean?

Its origin is uncertain; it may relate to Ursel, from Ursula, 'little bear,' or to Hershel.

How do you pronounce Ercel?

It is said UR-suhl /ˈɜrsəl/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Ercel a boy or girl name?

Here Ercel is used as a girl's name, though early records show it for boys too.

How popular is Ercel?

It was always rare in the United States, given to only about sixteen girls a year at its peak in the nineteen-twenties.