Jewell Unisex

Popularity: #934 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

JasmineJadeJoyJuniperJocelyn

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.

JewelJoelleJulietJuliannaJasmineJocelynJovannaJunaJunaidJovita

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Jewell was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Jewell has ranked as high as #352 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 19 5 14
2024 17 6 11
2023 18 5 13
2022 22 0 22
2021 26 9 17
2020 18 0 18
2019 30 7 23
2018 46 8 38
2017 51 12 39
2016 48 10 38
2015 45 6 39
2014 60 11 49
2013 40 9 31
2012 49 6 43
2011 35 0 35
2010 43 0 43
2009 49 5 44
2008 62 7 55
2007 79 12 67
2006 67 5 62
2005 69 12 57
2004 78 10 68
2003 86 5 81
2002 79 8 71
2001 79 0 79
2000 89 9 80
1999 112 12 100
1998 98 12 86
1997 82 8 74
1996 71 6 65
1995 91 14 77
1994 59 10 49
1993 62 14 48
1992 55 9 46
1991 53 15 38
1990 57 15 42
1989 68 13 55
1988 51 12 39
1987 50 15 35
1986 41 6 35
1985 55 9 46
1984 48 8 40
1983 63 15 48
1982 59 8 51
1981 59 14 45
1980 60 11 49
1979 55 9 46
1978 58 11 47
1977 65 18 47
1976 62 17 45
1975 48 17 31
1974 68 16 52
1973 70 17 53
1972 79 18 61
1971 71 14 57
1970 95 22 73
1969 93 21 72
1968 81 17 64
1967 112 20 92
1966 98 25 73
1965 131 16 115
1964 140 21 119
1963 131 25 106
1962 150 24 126
1961 175 28 147
1960 160 17 143
1959 163 31 132
1958 148 20 128
1957 197 42 155
1956 209 48 161
1955 219 47 172
1954 196 44 152
1953 229 41 188
1952 215 39 176
1951 262 38 224
1950 259 40 219
1949 307 47 260
1948 327 52 275
1947 320 47 273
1946 352 51 301
1945 327 59 268
1944 366 59 307
1943 437 67 370
1942 447 57 390
1941 414 66 348
1940 364 55 309
1939 359 65 294
1938 395 53 342
1937 382 57 325
1936 406 78 328
1935 449 59 390
1934 501 78 423
1933 542 75 467
1932 543 76 467
1931 542 94 448
1930 614 75 539
1929 653 93 560
1928 740 88 652
1927 839 104 735
1926 805 87 718
1925 935 125 810
1924 944 114 830
1923 941 139 802
1922 965 135 830
1921 973 116 857
1920 1,004 111 893
1919 927 110 817
1918 940 119 821
1917 853 107 746
1916 793 94 699
1915 795 103 692
1914 647 77 570
1913 548 66 482
1912 536 80 456
1911 378 40 338
1910 393 31 362
1909 328 24 304
1908 305 17 288
1907 311 27 284
1906 281 26 255
1905 272 19 253
1904 226 24 202
1903 216 19 197
1902 220 19 201
1901 173 14 159
1900 193 15 178
1899 152 11 141
1898 152 15 137
1897 100 13 87
1896 91 15 76
1895 88 11 77
1894 68 6 62
1893 56 6 50
1892 59 10 49
1891 43 6 37
1890 26 0 26
1889 33 7 26
1888 34 7 27
1887 8 0 8
1886 15 0 15
1885 9 0 9
1884 6 0 6
1883 8 8 0
1882 5 0 5
1880 8 0 8

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. 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 5
100%