Ethel

♀ Girl

Pronounced ETH-əl /ˈɛθ.əl/High

Meaning: From Old English/Germanic aethel, 'noble' (a short form of names like Etheldreda)High

In 30 seconds: Noble and vintage: Ethel is Old English for 'noble'. Stately, warm, and ripe for revival (singer Ethel Merman).

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighEnglish, German

MeaningFrom Old English/Germanic aethel, 'noble' (a short form of names like Etheldreda)

U.S. rank (2025)#4211 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births34 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 278,924

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

Ethel comes from Old English aethel, 'noble' — originally a short form of names like Etheldreda and Ethelinda. A stately, warm Victorian-era classic (singer Ethel Merman), now ripe for revival.

It registers thinly today. Rare now, noble at the root, and stately.

Did you know? Ethel means 'noble' (Old English aethel) — a short form of longer 'noble' names; a stately Victorian classic (Ethel Merman; I Love Lucy's Ethel).

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Ethel — etymology

Variations

EthylEthelindaEthelyn

Nicknames

Eth

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ethel…

Edith— a fellow vintage noble-rooted name

Mabel— a companion vintage classic

Pearl— another reviving vintage name

Hazel— a fellow Victorian-era name

Explore names like Ethel

By themeenglish vintage

By meaningRoyal / Noble

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ethel mean?

Ethel is Old English for 'noble'.

How do you pronounce Ethel?

It's said ETH-əl /ˈɛθ.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ethel a boy or girl name?

Ethel is a girl's name.

How popular is Ethel?

Ethel is a rare name in the U.S. today.