Purnell Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PUR-nell //ˈpɜrnɛl//
Origin: French; English
Meaning: French: 'little Purn'; English: 'from Purnell'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Purnell has its roots in the Old French name "Purnel," which is derived from the Latin word "purnellus," meaning "little pig" or "young piglet." This etymological journey reflects the influence of the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were introduced into the English language. The name evolved over time, with variations appearing in different regions, but Purnell has remained relatively consistent in its form since its introduction into English-speaking contexts.
Historically, the name Purnell can be traced back to the medieval period, where it was often used as a surname before transitioning into a given name. It appears in various records throughout England, particularly in the 13th century, as surnames began to be adopted more widely.
The name is associated with several notable figures, including individuals in the clergy and nobility, which helped to solidify its presence in English history. The use of Purnell as a first name became more common in later centuries, reflecting broader naming trends that favored surnames as first names.
Culturally, the name Purnell carries connotations of pastoral life, given its association with livestock. This connection to agriculture and rural living has contributed to its resonance in certain communities.
Additionally, the name has been linked to various family lineages and has appeared in historical documents, such as parish records and land grants, which further underscore its significance in English heritage. While diminutive forms like "Purny" may be informally used, the name Purnell itself has maintained a distinct identity throughout its history.
Famous people named Purnell
In this section, you will find notable people named Purnell. 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 Purnell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Purnell 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.
Purnell Stevens is a musician best known for his work with the band The Purnells.
Purnell Roberts is an actor best known for Bonanza and Trapper John, M.D.
Purnell McPhee is a chef best known for his appearances on various cooking shows.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Purnell, 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 Purnell. 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 Purnell was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Purnell has ranked as high as #1109 nationally, which occurred in 1964, and has been most popular in Maryland, and Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Purnell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Purnell 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 Purnell was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Purnell (1977)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| MD | 6 |
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 Purnell.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1979 | 13 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1977 | 11 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1972 | 13 |
| 1971 | 14 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1968 | 8 |
| 1967 | 18 |
| 1966 | 14 |
| 1965 | 17 |
| 1964 | 19 |
| 1963 | 17 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1960 | 8 |
| 1959 | 11 |
| 1958 | 15 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1955 | 11 |
| 1954 | 12 |
| 1953 | 12 |
| 1952 | 11 |
| 1951 | 13 |
| 1950 | 8 |
| 1949 | 9 |
| 1948 | 15 |
| 1947 | 10 |
| 1946 | 14 |
| 1945 | 7 |
| 1944 | 18 |
| 1943 | 7 |
| 1942 | 6 |
| 1941 | 10 |
| 1939 | 11 |
| 1938 | 11 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1935 | 9 |
| 1933 | 9 |
| 1932 | 7 |
| 1931 | 8 |
| 1930 | 10 |
| 1929 | 9 |
| 1928 | 10 |
| 1927 | 11 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1925 | 10 |
| 1924 | 9 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1921 | 13 |
| 1920 | 10 |
| 1919 | 15 |
| 1917 | 7 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1915 | 11 |
| 1914 | 6 |
| 1913 | 5 |