Campbell Unisex

Popularity: #519 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAM-buhl //ˈkæm.bəl//

Origin: Scottish; English

Meaning: Scottish: crooked mouth; English: from the camp

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Campbell originates from the Gaelic surname "Caimbeul," which is derived from the elements "cam" meaning "crooked" and "beul" meaning "mouth." This etymological root reflects a geographical or topographical feature, possibly referring to a location characterized by a winding river or a crooked valley. The name transitioned into English through the Norman influence in Scotland, where it became associated with various clans, particularly the Clan Campbell, which played a significant role in Scottish history from the medieval period onward.

Historically, the Campbells rose to prominence in the 13th century, becoming one of the most powerful clans in Scotland. They were known for their loyalty to the Scottish crown, particularly during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

The clan's influence continued into the 16th and 17th centuries, with notable figures such as Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, who was a key player in the political landscape of Scotland during the 17th century. The name Campbell is also associated with various historical events, including the Jacobite risings, where members of the clan took opposing sides.

Culturally, the name Campbell has endured due to its deep roots in Scottish heritage and its association with nobility and leadership. It has been celebrated in literature and folklore, often symbolizing strength and resilience.

The name's historical significance is further underscored by its use in various forms of art and literature, where it has been depicted as a symbol of Scottish identity. Additionally, the diminutive form "Cammie" has been used in familial and affectionate contexts, although it is less common in historical records.

Overall, the name Campbell carries a rich legacy that reflects both its linguistic origins and its historical significance in Scottish culture.

Famous people named Campbell

In this section, you will find notable people named Campbell. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Campbell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Campbell who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Campbell Scott is an actor and director best known for Big Night, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Roger Dodger.

Campbell Brown is a journalist and television news anchor best known for her work on CNN and NBC News.

Campbell McCulloch is a musician best known for his work with the band The Campbell Brothers.

Fictional characters named Campbell

The following list of fictional characters named Campbell is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Campbell is a fictional character from the film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. They are a member of the rebellion against the Capitol and play a significant role in the fight for freedom.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Campbell, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Campbell was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Campbell has ranked as high as #787 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in Texas, California, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

In the past 5 years the name Campbell has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Campbell is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Campbell was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Campbell.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 811 337 474
2024 524 251 273
2023 428 212 216
2022 412 214 198
2021 415 205 210
2020 360 165 195
2019 333 143 190
2018 359 159 200
2017 402 179 223
2016 405 179 226
2015 363 138 225
2014 411 173 238
2013 434 154 280
2012 453 149 304
2011 424 148 276
2010 548 188 360
2009 543 147 396
2008 552 165 387
2007 540 148 392
2006 612 177 435
2005 575 186 389
2004 482 164 318
2003 424 164 260
2002 340 143 197
2001 277 142 135
2000 176 128 48
1999 176 114 62
1998 140 97 43
1997 96 73 23
1996 104 78 26
1995 72 57 15
1994 86 67 19
1993 81 58 23
1992 80 59 21
1991 35 25 10
1990 20 12 8
1989 18 13 5
1988 14 14 0
1987 12 12 0
1986 6 6 0
1985 10 10 0
1984 12 12 0
1983 9 9 0
1982 5 5 0
1981 13 13 0
1980 9 9 0
1979 11 11 0
1978 16 16 0
1977 8 8 0
1976 11 11 0
1975 7 7 0
1974 5 5 0
1973 12 12 0
1972 7 7 0
1971 7 7 0
1970 7 7 0
1969 9 9 0
1968 7 7 0
1967 6 6 0
1966 8 8 0
1965 12 12 0
1964 10 10 0
1963 9 9 0
1962 7 7 0
1961 13 13 0
1960 12 12 0
1959 5 5 0
1958 9 9 0
1957 13 13 0
1956 10 10 0
1955 10 10 0
1954 12 12 0
1953 11 11 0
1952 10 10 0
1951 10 10 0
1950 16 16 0
1949 18 18 0
1948 14 14 0
1947 8 8 0
1946 10 10 0
1945 16 16 0
1944 11 11 0
1943 15 15 0
1942 19 19 0
1941 14 14 0
1940 6 6 0
1938 15 15 0
1937 9 9 0
1936 8 8 0
1935 9 9 0
1934 11 11 0
1933 9 9 0
1932 10 10 0
1931 9 9 0
1930 15 15 0
1929 21 21 0
1928 9 9 0
1927 19 19 0
1926 28 28 0
1925 17 17 0
1924 20 20 0
1923 17 17 0
1922 16 16 0
1921 25 25 0
1920 18 18 0
1919 22 22 0
1918 21 21 0
1917 25 25 0
1916 19 19 0
1915 20 20 0
1914 20 20 0
1913 9 9 0
1912 16 16 0
1908 5 5 0
1905 6 6 0
1903 6 6 0
1899 6 6 0
1893 6 6 0
1891 6 6 0
1885 8 8 0
1882 7 7 0
1881 5 5 0

Top States for Campbell (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 71
16%
TN 40
9%
NC 35
8%
VA 26
6%
AL 23
5%
GA 22
5%
CA 22
5%
SC 19
4%
FL 16
4%
MO 16
4%
PA 14
3%
MS 14
3%
OH 12
3%
KY 12
3%
WA 11
3%
IN 11
3%
CO 11
3%
IL 9
2%
MN 8
2%
MI 7
2%
WI 6
1%
IA 6
1%
LA 6
1%
UT 6
1%
NY 5
1%
KS 5
1%