Given name & surname
Powell
“a small or humble man”·“small”
Powell is a form of Paul. Interpretations include “small” and “a small or humble man” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Powell carries the interpretation “a small or humble man.” Powell is a form of Paul. Interpretations include “small” and “a small or humble man” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
A possible origin is English, although the derivation remains uncertain.
How it developed
Powell is used as a form of Paul.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1883. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Powell through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,491
- 1,485 boys · 6 girls
- Most popular year
- 1919
- 32 babies
- 2025
- 9
- #8,751 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +2%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 9 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 8,751 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 15.6% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 32 in 1919. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 811 as a first name in 2020; 216,911 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Powell’s family of names
In English usage, Powell shares an earlier linguistic root with Howell. Powell is a form of Paul. Powell has a related form in Powel.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Powell
- Powell ClaytonAmerican politician (1833-1914)
- Surf MesaAmerican record producer and multi-instrumentalistborn 2000
- Powell F. Carter Jr.United States Navy admiral (1931–2017)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Powell, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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