Jewell Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JOO-uhl //ˈdʒuː.əl//
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: jewel; French: precious stone
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Jewell has its roots in the Old French word "juel," which translates to "jewel" in English, derived from the Latin "jocale," meaning "plaything" or "jewel." This etymological journey reflects a transition from Latin to Old French, and subsequently into Middle English, where the term began to be used as a given name. The name Jewell, therefore, carries connotations of preciousness and beauty, akin to that of a gemstone, which has historically been associated with value and significance in various cultures.
Historically, the name Jewell can be traced back to the 19th century when it began to be used as a feminine given name in English-speaking countries. It gained some prominence during this period, reflecting a broader trend of using nature-inspired and precious object names for children.
The name's association with beauty and rarity likely contributed to its adoption, as jewels have long been symbols of wealth and status across different societies. Notably, the use of Jewell as a surname also emerged, with individuals bearing the name appearing in various records throughout the centuries.
Culturally, the name Jewell resonates with themes of value, beauty, and rarity, often symbolizing cherished qualities in literature and art. The name has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Jewel," which also carries similar meanings.
Its enduring appeal can be attributed to these associations, as well as its melodic sound, which has allowed it to maintain a presence in the lexicon of names. Jewell's significance is further underscored by its representation of cherished relationships and treasured moments, akin to the way jewels are often given as gifts to symbolize love and affection.
Famous people named Jewell
In this section, you will find notable people named Jewell. 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 Jewell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Jewell 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.
Jewell Parker Rhodes is an author best known for Ghost Boys, Towers Falling, and Paradise.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Jewell, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Jewell. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Jewell was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Jewell has ranked as high as #360 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Jewell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Jewell 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 Jewell was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Jewell (2017)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
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 Jewell.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2016 | 38 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2014 | 49 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2012 | 43 |
| 2011 | 35 |
| 2010 | 43 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2008 | 55 |
| 2007 | 67 |
| 2006 | 62 |
| 2005 | 57 |
| 2004 | 68 |
| 2003 | 81 |
| 2002 | 71 |
| 2001 | 79 |
| 2000 | 80 |
| 1999 | 100 |
| 1998 | 86 |
| 1997 | 74 |
| 1996 | 65 |
| 1995 | 77 |
| 1994 | 49 |
| 1993 | 48 |
| 1992 | 46 |
| 1991 | 38 |
| 1990 | 42 |
| 1989 | 55 |
| 1988 | 39 |
| 1987 | 35 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1985 | 46 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1983 | 48 |
| 1982 | 51 |
| 1981 | 45 |
| 1980 | 49 |
| 1979 | 46 |
| 1978 | 47 |
| 1977 | 47 |
| 1976 | 45 |
| 1975 | 31 |
| 1974 | 52 |
| 1973 | 53 |
| 1972 | 61 |
| 1971 | 57 |
| 1970 | 73 |
| 1969 | 72 |
| 1968 | 64 |
| 1967 | 92 |
| 1966 | 73 |
| 1965 | 115 |
| 1964 | 119 |
| 1963 | 106 |
| 1962 | 126 |
| 1961 | 147 |
| 1960 | 143 |
| 1959 | 132 |
| 1958 | 128 |
| 1957 | 155 |
| 1956 | 161 |
| 1955 | 172 |
| 1954 | 152 |
| 1953 | 188 |
| 1952 | 176 |
| 1951 | 224 |
| 1950 | 219 |
| 1949 | 260 |
| 1948 | 275 |
| 1947 | 273 |
| 1946 | 301 |
| 1945 | 268 |
| 1944 | 307 |
| 1943 | 370 |
| 1942 | 390 |
| 1941 | 348 |
| 1940 | 309 |
| 1939 | 294 |
| 1938 | 342 |
| 1937 | 325 |
| 1936 | 328 |
| 1935 | 390 |
| 1934 | 423 |
| 1933 | 467 |
| 1932 | 467 |
| 1931 | 448 |
| 1930 | 539 |
| 1929 | 560 |
| 1928 | 652 |
| 1927 | 735 |
| 1926 | 718 |
| 1925 | 810 |
| 1924 | 830 |
| 1923 | 802 |
| 1922 | 830 |
| 1921 | 857 |
| 1920 | 893 |
| 1919 | 817 |
| 1918 | 821 |
| 1917 | 746 |
| 1916 | 699 |
| 1915 | 692 |
| 1914 | 570 |
| 1913 | 482 |
| 1912 | 456 |
| 1911 | 338 |
| 1910 | 362 |
| 1909 | 304 |
| 1908 | 288 |
| 1907 | 284 |
| 1906 | 255 |
| 1905 | 253 |
| 1904 | 202 |
| 1903 | 197 |
| 1902 | 201 |
| 1901 | 159 |
| 1900 | 178 |
| 1899 | 141 |
| 1898 | 137 |
| 1897 | 87 |
| 1896 | 76 |
| 1895 | 77 |
| 1894 | 62 |
| 1893 | 50 |
| 1892 | 49 |
| 1891 | 37 |
| 1890 | 26 |
| 1889 | 26 |
| 1888 | 27 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1886 | 15 |
| 1885 | 9 |
| 1884 | 6 |
| 1882 | 5 |
| 1880 | 8 |