Steele is of English origin, derived from the word 'steel'. It was traditionally an occupational surname given to a smith who worked with steel. The name gained popularity as a given name in the mid-20th century and has since been used more frequently for boys than girls. In recent years, it has also been used as a unisex name. Steele is not associated with any particular religious or cultural significance beyond its English roots. It is typically pronounced /stiːl/ in English.
The name Steele has seen a significant increase in popularity since 2015, with the highest number of births recorded in 2023 (18 births). Before this peak, there was a steady rise from 2017 onwards, with years 2017 and 2019 also seeing double-digit births. The lowest points were in 2005 and 2014, each with just five births.