Fun Facts About the Name Chapel
- 451 babies named Chapel: U.S. records list 451 babies given the name Chapel from 1880 through 2025. Even 168 boys received the name Chapel - about 1 boy for every 2 girls.
What Does the Name Chapel Mean?
Chapel is an English word name meaning "small place of worship." It comes from the English noun chapel, borrowed from Old French chapèle, which descends from Medieval Latin capella. That Latin word is a diminutive of cappa, "cloak" or "cape," so its literal sense is "little cloak." The religious meaning grew out of the use of capella for a shrine that housed a sacred cloak, and only later did the word come to name any small or subordinate place of worship.
Chapel Name History & Origins
Medieval Latin capella was used for the sanctuary where the cloak of St. Martin of Tours was kept by the Frankish kings. The priest who served that shrine was called a capellanus, the source of English chaplain, and the building itself was a capella. Old French carried the word as chapèle, and Middle English took it up as chapel. Over the Middle Ages the term broadened from one particular relic shrine to any small church, private place of worship, or subordinate chapel attached to a larger church.
As a personal name, Chapel is uncommon. It is used chiefly in English-speaking countries and is best understood as a word name or a transferred surname rather than as a traditional given name with a long documented lineage. It shares its root with the surname Chappell, which comes from the same Old French word, but similar-looking names need not be related: Chapman, for example, comes from Old English ceapmann, "merchant," and is not connected to capella.
How Popular is the Name Chapel?
Chapel 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 #3,457 in 2025.
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 | #4,190 | 34 | 0.0021% |
| 2024 | #5,639 | 22 | 0.0014% |
| 2023 | #5,789 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2022 | #7,347 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2021 | #9,093 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2020 | #9,060 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2019 | #6,772 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2018 | #7,847 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2017 | #6,339 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 2016 | #6,713 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2015 | #8,096 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2014 | #13,358 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #10,417 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2012 | #10,598 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2011 | #10,554 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2010 | #13,763 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #18,095 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #17,674 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #17,005 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #12,473 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #13,859 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #14,857 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #14,565 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #13,911 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,457 | 33 | 0.0019% |
| 2024 | #4,577 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 2023 | #4,363 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2022 | #4,880 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2021 | #8,295 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2020 | #12,376 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #12,491 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #8,970 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #10,978 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #8,271 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #9,793 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #12,562 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #12,678 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2004 | #11,656 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #10,843 | 5 | 0.0003% |
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 Chapel Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Chapel's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Chapel's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.