Montel is a given name of American origin, derived from the Latin word 'monticulus', which means 'little mountain'. It was popularized as a given name by the influential jazz musician and bandleader Montgomery "Monty" Alexander, born in Jamaica in 1944. The name Montel has also been used in various forms of media and literature, such as in the popular children's book series "Magic School Bus", where the character Arnold is often referred to by his nickname Monty. Despite its unique sound, Montel remains a rare given name, with fewer than 50 occurrences per year in recent years in the United States.
The name Montel experienced a significant surge in popularity between 1989 and its peak in 1993, with over 140 births recorded each year during this period. However, the number of births steadily declined thereafter, reaching as low as six births per year by 2008. Since then, the birth count has fluctuated but remained relatively stable, averaging around ten births annually up until 2023. Overall, a total of 1543 children were named Montel from 1950 to 2023.