Ethel

girlOld English

Ethel is an girl name of Old English origin, meaning “Noble”.

MeaningNoble
GenderGirl
OriginOld English
PronunciationETH-ul
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States

Meaning and origin of Ethel

Ethel comes from the Old English element æthel, 'noble', which began many Anglo-Saxon names such as Æthelthryth (Audrey) and Æthelburh. It was revived as a stand-alone name in the nineteenth century and was very popular in Britain and America by the 1890s and early 1900s. The singer Ethel Merman is a well-known bearer.

Is Ethel a religious name?

Ethel has no religious meaning, though several early English saints had names beginning with the same element.

How popular is Ethel?

Mostly found among women born before the 1930s; rarely given to babies now.

Gifts with the name Ethel

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Spellings and variants of Ethel

EthelindaAudrey

Names similar to Ethel

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ethel mean?

Ethel means 'Noble'. It is of Old English origin.

Does Ethel have a religious meaning?

Ethel has no religious meaning, though several early English saints had names beginning with the same element.

How do you pronounce Ethel?

Ethel is pronounced ETH-ul.

Is Ethel a boy or girl name?

Ethel is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.