NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Cartel

A name of Spanish origin associated with organized criminal groups.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Cartel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Cartel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2004 to 2020. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Cartel. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2021 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Cartel ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2004, when 3 boys were registered as Cartel.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Cartel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4608

2020

Births in 2020

3

Latest year

Peak year

2004

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Meaning

What does Cartel mean?

The name Cartel has its origins in the Spanish language, derived from the word "carta," which means "card" or "letter." It likely emerged during the 16th or 17th century in Spain or Spanish-speaking regions.

In its earliest usage, the term "cartel" referred to a written agreement or treaty between parties, often relating to commerce or the exchange of prisoners during times of war. It later came to be associated with organized groups involved in illegal activities, particularly drug trafficking and other criminal enterprises.

While the name Cartel does not have a direct association with any ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been recorded as a given name throughout history, though its usage has been relatively rare.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Cartel was Cartel de Maldonado, a Spanish explorer and navigator who lived in the late 15th century. He was known for his voyages to the Americas and his contributions to the mapping of the Caribbean islands.

Another notable figure was Cartel Martínez, a Mexican revolutionary who fought alongside Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century. He was born in 1889 and played a significant role in the battles against the federal forces.

In the world of literature, Cartel Fuentes was a renowned Spanish author and poet from the 20th century. Born in 1928, he was known for his works exploring themes of existentialism and the human condition.

Moving to the world of sports, Cartel Rodríguez was a professional boxer from Puerto Rico who competed in the lightweight division during the 1960s and 1970s. He held several regional titles and was known for his impressive knockout record.

Lastly, Cartel Guzmán was a Mexican artist and painter who lived in the late 19th century. He was celebrated for his vibrant depictions of Mexican landscapes and cultural scenes, capturing the essence of his homeland through his works.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Cartel over time

The chart below shows babies named Cartel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Cartel, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Cartel
01223200420122020

Decades

Cartel by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Cartel was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4608 3 1
2000s #3651 3 1

Related

Names similar to Cartel

FAQ

Cartel: questions and answers

How popular is the name Cartel in the UK right now?

In 2020, Cartel was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Cartel most popular?

The peak year on record was 2004, with 3 babies registered as Cartel in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Cartel?

A name of Spanish origin associated with organized criminal groups.

How many people are called Cartel in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Cartel across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.