Fun Facts About the Name Armel
- 280 babies named Armel: U.S. records list 280 babies given the name Armel from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Armel Mean?
Armel is a Breton masculine name often explained as "bear prince," from Brittonic elements seen in Welsh arth ("bear") and mael ("prince" or "chief"). The same elements form the Welsh name Arthfael, with which Armel is sometimes connected. The Latin forms Armagilus and Armagillus were used for Saint Armel, and the name's early spelling was not fixed. This "bear prince" sense is a traditional etymological explanation, not a securely documented translation; the exact development from an earlier Brittonic or Welsh form to Armel remains uncertain.
Armel Name History & Origins
Armel is best known from Saint Armel, a sixth-century abbot whose Latin name is given as Armagilus or Armagillus. Traditional accounts say he came from Wales to Brittany, founded a monastery at Plouarzel in Finistère, and died near Rennes, where the commune of Saint-Armel takes its name. His feast day is 16 August. These details belong to hagiographic tradition rather than contemporary historical records.
Through devotion to the saint, Armel became a Breton given name and later a French one. The feminine Armelle is formed from Armel with the French feminine ending -elle. In English-language use, Armel is usually encountered as a Breton or French name.
How Popular is the Name Armel?
Armel has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #2,683 in 1952.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #6,475 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2024 | #6,472 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2023 | #6,551 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2022 | #9,909 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #8,896 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2020 | #6,651 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2019 | #12,290 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #9,752 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #10,885 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #7,181 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #7,099 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2014 | #8,193 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2013 | #8,858 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #8,205 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #8,868 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #11,108 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #7,736 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2006 | #9,652 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #6,566 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2003 | #9,663 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #7,573 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #7,483 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #6,452 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #4,352 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1978 | #5,844 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1977 | #5,896 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1973 | #5,151 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #4,168 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #4,065 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1952 | #2,683 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1933 | #3,672 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1926 | #4,240 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1922 | #3,029 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1921 | #4,363 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1920 | #4,329 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1915 | #3,855 | 5 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Armel Shapes Your Personality and Life?
Powerful and complete. You are good intellectually and require several outlets for your energies. You are not a builder but a planner, and you want others to carry out your plans. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Armel's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Armel's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.