Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Ethal isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1900. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Ethal through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 70
- 0 boys · 70 girls
- Most popular year
- 1925
- 9 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 1929. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 9 in 1925. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 220 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Ethal, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Erma
“one who is complete; universal”
>99% girls
Elenore
“shining light”
>99% girls
Elnora
“shining light”
>99% girls
Ellouise
>99% girls
Bethel
“of the house of God” · “the house of God”
4% boys · 96% girls
Ester
“woman from the East” · “myrtle”
>99% girls
Enid
“one who gives life”
>99% girls
Elma
“having God's protection”
>99% girls