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Powell

♂ Boy

Pronounced POW-ul /ˈpaʊ.əl/High

Meaning: From the Welsh surname Powell — 'son of Howell' (ap Hywell), Howell meaning 'eminent; conspicuous; remarkable'Low

In 30 seconds: Son of Howell (eminent; conspicuous): Powell is a Welsh surname. Crisp, classic, and warm.

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Origin LowWelsh

MeaningFrom the Welsh surname Powell — 'son of Howell' (ap Hywell), Howell meaning 'eminent; conspicuous; remarkable'

U.S. rank (2025)#8751 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1919

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,485

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

Powell comes from the Welsh surname Powell — 'son of Howell' (ap Hywell), Howell meaning 'eminent; conspicuous; remarkable'. A crisp, classic name (said 'POW-ul').

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name. Rare, son-of-Howell at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Powell means 'son of Howell' (ap Hywell) — Howell meaning 'eminent; conspicuous; remarkable' — a crisp, classic Welsh surname-name (said 'POW-ul').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Powell — Welsh patronymic

Variations

PowelPowll

Nicknames

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If you like Powell…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Powell mean?

Powell is a Welsh surname, 'son of Howell' (Howell, 'eminent; conspicuous').

How do you pronounce Powell?

It's said POW-ul /ˈpaʊ.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Powell a boy or girl name?

Powell is a boy's name.

How popular is Powell?

Powell is a very rare name in the U.S.