"place of the blue dye plant"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Odell
Pronunciation: [ ohd-EHL ]
Does Odell flow with your last name?
Old English roots, distinctly American character
English
American
African-American
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The Story of Odell
Odell is an English place name transferred to a surname, then to a given name. It comes from Old English 'wad' (woad — a blue dye plant) and 'hyll' (hill), meaning 'woad hill.' There's a village called Odell in Bedfordshire, England. As a given name, it was brought to America and became associated particularly with Southern and African-American naming traditions.
Odell was popular in the American South through the early-to-mid 20th century. It has seen renewed attention thanks to NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who made the name recognizable to a new generation of sports fans.
In African-American communities, Odell became a distinctive given name choice that blended a Southern heritage name with personal distinction. It represents the broader tradition of adopting English surnames as first names.
Historical Record
Odell first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,954 babies have been named Odell in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Odell is past its peak , currently ranked #4,694 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The village of Odell in Bedfordshire, England dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086
- Odell Beckham Jr. was named after his father, Odell Beckham Sr., keeping the name alive in a new generation
Odell in Other Languages
English
Odell
Popularity Over Time
#4,694
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Odell
O
Odell Beckham Jr.
Athlete
1992
NFL wide receiver known for his spectacular one-handed catches and his time with the New York Giants and Cleveland Brown...
NFL wide receiver known for his spectacular one-handed catches and his time with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns
O
Odell Shepard
Writer
1884
American author and Pulitzer Prize winner for biography, served as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
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Compare Odell with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,694
- Total SSA Count
- 22
- Cultural Origins
- English American African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Dell
O
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Odell
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Odell is also used as a girl name, ranked #70980.
View Odell as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Odell
What does the name Odell mean?
"place of the blue dye plant" (from Old English). Odell is an English place name transferred to a surname, then to a given name. It comes from Old English 'wad' (woad — a blue dye plant) and 'hyll' (hill), meaning 'woad hill.' There's a village called Odell in Bedfordshire, England. As a given name, it was brought to America and became associated particularly with Southern and African-American naming traditions.
What is the origin of the name Odell?
Odell has Old English, English, American, and African-American origins. In Old English, it means "place of the blue dye plant".
Is Odell a boy or girl name?
Odell is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4694. As a girl name, it is ranked #70980. Odell is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Odell?
Odell is pronounced ohd-EHL.
How popular is the name Odell?
Odell is currently ranked #4694 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Odell?
Common nicknames for Odell include Dell.
What are good middle names for Odell?
Popular middle name pairings include Odell James, Odell Lee, Odell Ray, Odell Wayne, Odell Eugene, and Odell Arthur.
What are good sibling names for Odell?
Names that pair well with Odell as siblings include Emmett, Hattie, Virgil, Delilah, Carlton, and Loretta.
How many syllables does Odell have?
Odell has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Odell a common or rare name?
Odell is an uncommon name, ranked #4694 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Odell?
About the Name Odell
Odell is a boy name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "place of the blue dye plant" in Old English .
Is Odell a boy or girl name? Odell is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,694 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,980. Odell is more commonly used as a boy name.
Odell is currently ranked #4,694 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Odell has 2 syllables and is pronounced ohd-EHL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Odell include Dell and O. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis