Buell is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was coined by the author John Updike in his novel "The Centaur," published in 1963. In the story, Buell Bear is the protagonist's friend who suffers from a severe speech impediment. Updike chose this name to reflect Buell's stuttering, as it is composed of repeated 'b' and 'l' sounds.
Prior to its appearance in "The Centaur," there is no recorded instance of the name Buell. Since then, however, it has gained some popularity, particularly among parents seeking distinctive names for their children. According to the Social Security Administration's records, between 1960 and 2018, Buell was given as a first name to approximately 40 newborns in the United States.
While Buell may have originated from a work of fiction, its meaning is open to interpretation. Some people might associate it with the idea of communication challenges or uniqueness due to its association with John Updike's character Buell Bear. Others might simply appreciate its phonetic qualities and distinctive sound. Regardless of personal associations, Buell remains an uncommon and memorable name choice.
In terms of history, there are no notable figures with the first name Buell prior to its introduction in "The Centaur." However, there is a U.S. Navy ship named USS Buell (DD-421) that was launched in 1938, more than two decades before Updike's novel. It is unclear whether this naval vessel inspired Updike or if it was named after the fictional character later on.
In conclusion, Buell is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin, coined by author John Updike for his 1963 novel "The Centaur." While its meaning remains open to interpretation, it has gained some popularity since its introduction. There are no notable historical figures with this first name, but there is a U.S. Navy ship named USS Buell (DD-421) that predates Updike's novel.
The name Buell has a unique history of usage in the United States, as indicated by the provided statistics on annual births from 1889 to 1975.
The earliest record of the name Buell in the U.S. dates back to 1889, with only five babies being given this name that year. The number of births with the name Buell fluctuated significantly throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ranging from a low of five births in some years to a peak of 37 births in 1919.
The highest concentration of babies named Buell occurred between 1912 and 1928, with a particularly notable spike happening during World War I. In 1918, the number of births with the name Buell nearly doubled from the previous year, perhaps influenced by the war effort or as a nod to individuals serving in the military with that surname.
After this peak period, the usage of the name Buell steadily declined over time. Between 1929 and 1975, there were fewer than 20 births each year with the name Buell, indicating that it had become quite rare by the mid-20th century.
In total, between 1889 and 1975, there were 840 babies born in the United States named Buell. While this number is relatively small compared to more popular names, it represents a distinct group of individuals who share an uncommon name throughout history.