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Ansel Boy

Popularity: #772 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationAN-sel / ˈæn.səl

German; Hebrew

Meaning

German: 'God's protection'; Hebrew: 'noble'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ansel has its roots in the Germanic elements "ans," meaning "god," and "helm," meaning "helmet" or "protection." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "divine protection." The name was introduced to the English-speaking world through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was adopted from the Old French form "Anselm." The Latinized version of the name, "Anselmus," was used in ecclesiastical contexts, particularly in reference to Saint Anselm of Canterbury, a significant theologian and philosopher of the 11th century who was canonized in 1494 and is recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Anselm's influence on Christian thought, particularly through his works on the existence of God and the nature of faith, helped to solidify the name's prominence in medieval Europe. His writings, including the "Proslogion" and "Cur Deus Homo," were pivotal in the development of scholastic philosophy. The name Anselm became associated with intellectual rigor and piety, contributing to its adoption among various European cultures during the Middle Ages.

In addition to its religious significance, Ansel has been borne by various notable figures throughout history, including Ansel Adams, the renowned American photographer known for his black-and-white landscape images of the American West. The name has also been used in literature and arts, often evoking themes of protection and divine guidance. The diminutive form "Ansel" has been used in various contexts, maintaining a connection to its original meaning while adapting to different cultural settings. Overall, Ansel embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Trend Summary

The name Ansel has seen a modest resurgence in popularity in the United States in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Anselm

International Variants

  • Anselmo (Italian)
  • Anselm (German)

Famous people named Ansel

Ansel Elgort is an actor and musician best known for The Fault in Our Stars, Baby Driver, and West Side Story.

Ansel Adams was a photographer and environmentalist best known for his black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West.

Fictional characters named Ansel

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ansel was first seen in the United States in 1882. Ansel has ranked as high as #1208 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in California, South Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington. In the past 5 years the name Ansel has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ansel (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 30
37%
TX 13
16%
FL 9
11%
OH 7
9%
WA 7
9%
NY 6
7%
WI 5
6%
MA 5
6%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18825
18867
18885
18896
18906
18918
18925
189313
18947
18959
18975
19005
19025
19056
19069
19086
19099
19108
19118
191222
191332
191430
191542
191649
191739
191831
191946
192036
192140
192247
192351
192440
192544
192635
192733
192837
192924
193037
193124
193221
193331
193431
193519
193621
193720
193822
193912
194022
194120
194213
194332
194425
194520
194612
194717
194821
194921
195016
195120
195222
195314
195420
195519
195616
195715
195815
195913
196010
196111
196217
196314
19646
196518
196611
196711
196812
196914
197022
197114
197211
197318
19748
19759
197618
197725
197822
197913
198019
198117
198212
198318
198416
198522
198616
198721
198824
198923
199021
199128
199221
199329
199426
199528
199619
199728
199822
199928
200027
200128
200238
200345
200450
200570
200649
200762
200863
200951
201075
201175
201269
2013102
2014109
2015158
2016160
2017148
2018171
2019137
2020163
2021157
2022146
2023166
2024152