Odell is a given name of American origin. It was popularized by the character Odell, a young boy in the novel "The Story of the Night" written by Irish author William Trevor. However, its exact etymology is uncertain.
Some sources suggest that Odell may be derived from Old English elements, such as "od" meaning wealth or prosperity, and "well" referring to a spring or stream. Therefore, Odell could mean "prosperous spring" or "wealthy spring." Alternatively, it might come from the Scottish surname Odell, which is thought to have originated from the name of an estate in Scotland called Odiham.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Odell. In addition to the character mentioned earlier, Odell is also a surname carried by prominent figures like Sir John Odell, an English politician and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I, and Odell Brewing Company, a craft brewery founded in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Despite its uncertain origins, Odell remains a unique and distinctive name choice. While it may not have a widespread or well-known meaning like some other names, its rarity can make it appealing to those seeking an uncommon moniker for their child. Ultimately, whether you're drawn to Odell because of its potential meanings or simply appreciate its sound, it's clear that this name carries a certain charm and allure.
The name Odell has been given to a total of 4151 babies born in the United States since 1889, based on the statistics provided. The popularity of this name fluctuated greatly over time, with periods of high usage followed by decades of rarity.
From 1889 to 1904, Odell was given to a total of 257 babies. The first peak in popularity occurred between 1906 and 1919, during which time the name was given to 991 babies, with a particularly high number of births occurring in 1914 (122) and 1915 (125).
After reaching its peak in the early 20th century, the popularity of Odell declined steadily until it reached an all-time low between 1936 and 1973. During these four decades, only a total of 80 babies were named Odell.
Interestingly, there was a slight resurgence in the use of the name Odell during the late 20th century and early 21st century. Between 1950 and 2017, the name was given to 3066 babies, accounting for over 74% of all Odell births recorded since 1889.
It is worth noting that these statistics only reflect the popularity of the name Odell in the United States and may not be indicative of its usage elsewhere. Additionally, it is important to consider that these figures do not take into account any variations in spelling or pronunciation that may have occurred over time.
In conclusion, while Odell was a popular baby name during the early 20th century, its popularity has declined significantly since then. However, there appears to be some renewed interest in this name in recent years.