Chanel

In This Article

Origin, Meaning, And History Of Chanel

Chanel is a feminine given name that conveys sophistication and grace. It is a French girl’s name that means “bottle maker” or “dweller by the canal.” As the last name of couture fashion designer Gabrielle Coco Chanel, Chanel is a stylish baby name that is favored by parents who adore the brand.

Differentiating the name Chanel from the renowned fashion designer Coco Chanel can be difficult. Her designer clothing, fragrances, and handbags all represent the brand. Since the 1970s, most Americans have embraced Chanel as a female first name in tribute to Coco Chanel. The French term “Chanel,” which refers to a water channel or canal, originated from the Roman word “canalis,” which means “water pipe.” Nevertheless, it is also sporadically used in Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and England. It was among the top 1,000 names given to baby girls in the US from 1987 to 1992, with its highest ranking at 879 in 1991.

The two most common variants of this name are Channel and Shanel. Surnames like Chanel, utilized as first names, are tremendously popular in the United States and are expanding to include last names from other languages, such as English, Scotch, French, and Irish. Chanel first appeared on the US naming rankings in 1973, the same year when Coco Chanel passed away. However, Chanel’s chart trajectory has changed since the early 1990s, and it is no longer as popular as it once was. The name was so rarely used between 2002 and 2003 that it fell off the rankings.

In fiction, Chanelle: Wannabe Popstar is a British reality program. This reality program follows participant Chanelle Hayes as she tries to break into the music industry. The episodes chronicle her progress as she hones her singing and dancing abilities with the goal of securing a record deal, recording a song, and releasing a video on the charts.

Chanel

heart image
Dweller by the canal; Bottle-maker
Girl
Christianity
French, Old French
7
Two
1 word, 6 letters, 2 vowels, 4 consonants
Medium length and easy to pronounce

How To Pronounce Chanel?

Pronounced as cha-nel

The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.

Listen to the sound of the name Chanel in English.

Famous People With The Name Chanel

  • Chanelle Charron-WatsonCanadian swimmer, who won three silver relay medals at the 2007 Pan American Games
  • Chanel West CoastAmerican actress, popular for her roles in MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory and Ridiculousness.
  • Chanelle PriceAmerican middle-distance runner, well-known for winning the gold medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2014.
  • Chanelle ScheepersRetired South African tennis player, popular for her winnings in the WTA Tour and the ITF Women’s Circuit
  • Chanelle SladicsAmerican professional snowboarder who won a bronze medal in the 2007 slopestyle competition.

Chanel On The Popularity Chart

Chanel has encountered many fluctuations since the last two decades. Let us study the graphs below to understand this better.

Popularity Over Time

Chanel rose to its peak popularity in 1991, when 676 babies per million were registered under this name. The name has managed to remain among the top 1000 names almost every year for the last few decades.

Source: Social Security Administration

Rank Over Time

In ranking too, the name peaked in 1991 when it reached the 382 position. After that it slipped in ranking to 1034 in 2002 and recovered slightly to 833 by 2021.

Source: Social Security Administration

Names With Similar Sound As Chanel

If you want a name that means the same as Chanel but sounds different? Take a look at the options listed below.

If you are looking to explore more names that sound like Chanel, here are some suggestions.

Popular Sibling Names For Chanel

If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Chanel, check our suggestions here.

Boy Sibling Names For Chanel

Find matching brother names for Chanel and create a wonderful team of siblings.

Chaanakya heart imageChaandak heart imageChain heart imageChaiyn heart imageChan heart imageChanait heart imageChanak heart imageChanaksha heart imageChanaky heart imageChanakya heart image

Girl Sibling Names For Chanel

Looking for some suitable sister names for Chanel? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.

Chanelle heart imageChanlina heart imageChenelle heart imageChenille heart imageChinelo heart imageSchwanhilde heart imageShanelle heart imageShannel heart imageShannelle heart imageShanoli heart image

Other Popular Names Beginning With C

Looking for more baby names starting with the letter C to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.

Names With Similar Meaning As Chanel

Infographic: Know The Name Chanel‘s Personality As Per Numerology

name-numerology-for-Chanel-girl

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

How To Communicate The Name Chanel In Other Languages

In Nautical Flags

chanel

In Sign Language

chanel

In Braille Alphabet

chanel

In Morse Code

chanel

Name Numerology For Chanel

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the meaning of the name Chanel?

The name Chanel means ‘dweller by the canal.’

2. What is the origin of the name Chanel?

Chanel has a French origin.

3. How to pronounce the name Chanel?

Chanel is pronounced as cha-nel.

4. Is Chanel a popular name?

Yes, Chanel has become increasingly popular in recent years and has been used as a given name in the US since the 1970s. According to the SSA, 287 girls were given this name in the US in 2022 (1). This rise in popularity is largely influenced by the renowned Chanel brand, known for its women’s clothing and perfume. Interestingly, the brand was named after the celebrated French fashion designer Coco Chanel.

5. Can Chanel be a first name?

Chanel is a name that can be used as a first name for girls. While it was originally known as a surname, it has been embraced as a given name. The name Chanel gained popularity during the 20th century and has become a fashionable choice for parents who want a distinctive and stylish name for their daughters.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.