Mardell is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. Its roots can be traced back to the English surname "Marden", which is derived from an Old English word meaning "boundary ridge". The name Marden was originally used as a place name, referring to various locations in England.
Over time, the surname Marden evolved into several different forms, including Mardell. As a given name, Mardell has been used primarily by families with ties to the American South. It is considered an uncommon but memorable choice for both boys and girls.
While there is no specific meaning or symbolism associated with the name Mardell beyond its geographical origins, its unique sound and spelling make it stand out as a distinctive option for parents looking for something different for their child's name.
The name Mardell has a unique and somewhat erratic history of usage in the United States over the past century. Between 1896 and 1981, there were a total of 2,170 babies named Mardell born in the U.S., with notable fluctuations in popularity throughout this period.
The name first appeared on the birth records in 1896 with six babies being given the name. This number remained steady for a decade until 1907 when another six girls were named Mardell. The following years saw some variation, with eight births in 1911 and nine in 1912, indicating a slow but steady increase in usage.
However, between 1913 and 1921, the popularity of the name Mardell surged dramatically. In just one year, from 1913 to 1914, the number of births doubled from 20 to 40. This trend continued with 65 babies named Mardell in 1921, marking a significant peak for this name.
The years between 1922 and 1939 saw a gradual decline in the usage of the name Mardell, though it remained relatively popular compared to earlier decades. On average, around 50-60 babies were named Mardell each year during this period.
After World War II, there was another notable surge in popularity for the name Mardell. Between 1945 and 1952, an average of 37 babies per year received this name. However, by the mid-1950s, usage began to decline once more, with fewer than 25 births each year between 1954 and 1963.
The latter half of the 20th century saw very limited usage of the name Mardell in the U.S. Between 1964 and 1981, there were only five years with more than five babies named Mardell: 1965 (10 births), 1968 (11 births), 1972 (8 births), 1975 (6 births), and 1976 (6 births). In the remaining years, fewer than five girls were named Mardell each year.
In summary, while Mardell has never been a particularly common name in the U.S., it enjoyed several periods of relative popularity throughout the early to mid-20th century. However, by the late 1950s, its usage had declined significantly and remained quite limited thereafter.