Chapel, derived from the Old French word 'chapele', meaning 'chancel' or 'small church', is a unisex given name of Latin origin. It was originally used as a surname before being adopted as a given name in the 19th century. The name Chapel gained prominence during the Victorian era and has since been associated with artistic and literary figures, including the American poet Frank Bidart who uses it as his middle name. Today, Chapel is considered a unique and distinctive name choice, often favored by parents seeking an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Chapel experienced a notable increase in popularity from the late 2010s onwards, with a significant jump occurring between 2021 and 2022 (from 9 to 20 births), followed by another substantial leap in 2023 (to 24 births).