UK boy's name
Orel
Meaning "eagle" and stemming from the Slavic languages.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Orel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Orel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2017 to 2017. 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.
Orel is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Orel. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Orel ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 3 boys were registered as Orel.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Orel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4812
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Orel mean?
The name Orel has its origins in the Slavic languages, particularly Russian and Ukrainian. It is derived from the word "orel," which means "eagle" in these languages. The name likely emerged during the early medieval period when Slavic cultures were prominent in Eastern Europe.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Orel can be found in the Russian Primary Chronicle, a historical text dating back to the 12th century. It mentions an individual named Orel who was a prominent member of the Drevlian tribe, which inhabited the lands around modern-day Ukraine.
In Russian folklore and literature, the eagle has been a symbol of strength, courage, and freedom. It is possible that the name Orel was given to individuals who embodied these qualities or were admired for their bravery and resilience.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Orel. One example is Orel Stepanovich Somov (1793-1833), a Russian painter and engraver known for his portraits and landscape paintings. Another is Orel Mikhailovich Chaykov (1846-1915), a Russian writer and journalist who contributed to several literary magazines and newspapers.
In the realm of sports, one cannot overlook Orel Leonard Hershiser (born 1958), a former American baseball pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and won the Cy Young Award in 1988. His name, although spelled differently, is likely derived from the same Slavic roots.
Additionally, Orel Protopopescu (1909-1984) was a Romanian lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania from 1973 to 1978.
Another notable figure bearing the name Orel is Orel Sabag (born 1949), an Israeli actor and director who has appeared in numerous films and television shows, both in Israel and internationally.
While the name Orel may not be as common today as it once was, it continues to hold significance in Slavic cultures, representing a connection to historical traditions and folklore. Its association with the powerful and majestic eagle symbolizes strength and freedom, making it a name with rich cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Orel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Orel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4812 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Orel
- Oliver 157,197
- Oscar 67,495
- Owen 33,517
- Ollie 13,193
- Oakley 9,838
- Omar 6,823
- Otis 6,395
- Oskar 4,827
- Olly 4,403
- Otto 3,839
- Osian 3,145
- Owain 2,310
FAQ
Orel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Orel in the UK right now?
In 2017, Orel was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Orel most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 3 babies registered as Orel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Orel?
Meaning "eagle" and stemming from the Slavic languages.
How many people are called Orel in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Orel across the 1 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.