The name Orel is of Hebrew origin and means "my light" or "my lamp." It is derived from the Hebrew word "or," which signifies light. The name Orel is often used as a boys' name, although it can also be given to girls.
Orel has a rich history that dates back to biblical times. In the Old Testament of the Bible, there was a town named Beth Orel (also known as Bethel), which means "house of light." This town played a significant role in Jacob's life when he had his dream about the ladder to heaven and wrestled with an angel.
The name Orel has also been used throughout history by various figures. For instance, Orel Sanovich was a famous Russian artist known for his intricate and detailed paintings. Additionally, Orel is the name of a city in France that was once a major center for the production of tapestries during the Middle Ages.
Despite its Hebrew origin, the name Orel has been adopted by many cultures throughout history and can be found in various countries today. It is considered to be a unique and distinctive name with a rich historical background and meaningful significance.
Statistics on the name Orel show a varied trend over the years in the United States. Between 1883 and 2023, there were a total of 551 babies born with the name Orel.
The name's popularity peaked between the early to mid-1900s, with more than 16 births each year from 1915 to 1924. The highest number of births in any single year was 27 in 1916. After this period, the popularity of the name decreased significantly, with fewer than 10 births per year until the late 1980s.
Interestingly, there was a resurgence in the use of the name Orel starting from the late 1980s to early 2000s. During this period, there were more than 6 births each year, with peaks of 12 births in 1989 and 11 births in 1990. However, since then, the popularity of the name has declined once again, with fewer than 10 births per year from 2004 onwards.
Despite its fluctuating popularity, the name Orel continues to be used today, with 5 births recorded in 2023 alone. Overall, these statistics show that while the name Orel may not have been consistently popular over time, it has maintained a steady presence in the United States' baby naming landscape for more than a century.