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Boy name · Germanic

Ansel

Name meaning, origin and popularity

: god helmet

Ansel is a boy's name that comes from Germanic and means "god helmet". It is used in English and German.

Meaning
God helmet
Origin
Germanic
Gender
Boy
US rank
#1138 in 2025

Meaning and origin of Ansel

As a boy's name, Ansel comes from Germanic and means "god helmet". It is used in English and German.

Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names

Ansel on Nomezo lists

What our editors wrote about Ansel on 4 lists.

  • “Like landscape photographer Adams, artsy and outdoorsy”

    From Boy dog names, unique male dog names

  • “God's protection; Germanic. Short and artistic”

    From Boy middle names, unique boy middle names

  • “God helmet; Germanic, photographer Adams's first name”

    From Unique boy names, short unique boy names

  • “Germanic for god helmet, a protective charm of a name”

    From Witch names, male witch and warlock names

How popular is Ansel?

US rank in 2025
#1,138
186 babies, 109 per million boys
Best rank
#540 in 1893
Most babies: 186 in 2025
Babies since 1882
At least 4,801
Years with under 5 are not listed
1880s1900s1920s1940s1960s1980s2000s2020s
Babies per million US boys, by decade (the 2020s so far, to 2025). Highest in the 2020s, at 94 per million.
Babies named Ansel per million US boys, by decade; highest in the 2020s
1880s21 per million
1890s46 per million
1900s29 per million
1910s46 per million
1920s35 per million
1930s23 per million
1940s14 per million
1950s8 per million
1960s6 per million
1970s10 per million
1980s10 per million
1990s13 per million
2000s24 per million
2010s64 per million
2020s94 per million
US rank by year
Year2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Rank#1,183#1,236#1,129#1,327#1,179#1,225#1,300#1,203#1,286#1,138

Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.

Other forms of Ansel

The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.

  • AnselmGod and helmet (Germanic, boy)

Names spelled like Ansel

One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.

  • AngelHeavenly messenger (Greek, unisex)
  • AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
  • AbelBreath (Hebrew, boy)
  • ArielLion of God (Hebrew, boy)
  • AdelJust, fair (Arabic, boy)
  • AnderManly, brave (Greek, boy)
  • AnselmoDivine protection (Germanic, boy)
  • AngeAngel (Greek, unisex)
  • AngeloAngel, messenger (Greek, boy)

Names with a similar meaning

  • LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
  • AldhelmOld helmet (Old English, boy)
  • AnselmaGod and helmet (Germanic, girl)
  • GrimMask or helmet (Old Norse, boy)
  • HelmaWill and helmet (Germanic, girl)
  • HelmutHelmet and mind (Germanic, boy)
  • HjalmarHelmet warrior (Old Norse, boy)
  • KenelmBold helmet (Old English, boy)
  • KjellKettle or cauldron, later also helmet (Old Norse, boy)
  • ThorgrimThor's mask or helmet (Old Norse, boy)

Middle names for Ansel

Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.

More boy names from Germanic

  • HugoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
  • RobertBright fame (Germanic, boy)
  • LambertBright land (Germanic, boy)
  • LeonardoBrave lion (Germanic, boy)
  • AlaricRuler of all (Germanic, boy)
  • AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
  • AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
  • ArmandoArmy man (Germanic, boy)
  • ArnoEagle (Germanic, boy)
  • ArnoldEagle power (Germanic, boy)

Ansel: common questions

What does the name Ansel mean?

Ansel comes from Germanic and means "god helmet".

Is Ansel a boy or girl name?

Ansel is mainly a boy's name.

Where does the name Ansel come from?

Ansel comes from Germanic and means "god helmet". Today it is used in English and German.

How popular is the name Ansel?

Ansel ranked #1,138 in the US in 2025, with 186 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

What are other forms of Ansel?

Forms of Ansel with the same meaning and origin include Anselm (German).

What middle names go with Ansel?

Middle names that flow well with Ansel include Bartholomew, Clark, Emmanuel, Leander and Marshall. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.