NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Teal

A feminine name meaning "green-blue" from the color term.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Teal is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Teal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 9 births.

This profile covers 71 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Teal. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Teal ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2013, when 9 girls were registered as Teal.
  • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Teal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 84.5% of Teal registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5687

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2013

9 births

Estimated living

71

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Teal

In England and Wales birth records, Teal has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 15.5% of registrations are for boys and 84.5% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

15% boys
85% girls
Boys13 (15.5%)Girls71 (84.5%)

Teal registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,632 in 2014
  • 3 boys registered in 2014
  • Peak: 1998 (6 births)

Teal registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,687 in 2023
  • 3 girls registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2013 (9 births)

Meaning

What does Teal mean?

The name Teal is of English origin, derived from the color name "teal," which refers to a specific bluish-green hue. The color term itself is believed to have originated from the Old English "tele" or the Middle English "teyl," referring to a species of small freshwater duck known for its distinctive greenish-brown plumage.

In the 16th century, the term "teal" began to be used as a descriptive term for the specific color, eventually evolving into a given name, particularly in English-speaking regions. The earliest recorded use of Teal as a first name dates back to the late 19th century, though it remained relatively uncommon until the mid-20th century.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Teal was Teal Marion Singer (1888-1973), an American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois from 1933 to 1941. Another early bearer of the name was Teal Vance (1904-1995), an American actress and dancer active in the 1920s and 1930s.

As the name grew in popularity, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century, it was embraced by a diverse range of individuals. Teal Stalkingbread (born 1956) is a renowned Native American artist and illustrator known for her vibrant depictions of Indigenous culture. Teal Wicks (born 1981) is an American actress and singer who has appeared in various Broadway productions, including "Wicked" and "The Cher Show."

More recently, Teal Swan (born 1984) is a controversial spiritual teacher and internet personality known for her teachings on personal growth and spirituality. Teal Lyndyn (born 1990) is an Australian model and social media influencer, known for her work in promoting body positivity and self-acceptance.

The name Teal, while initially derived from a color term, has evolved to hold its own unique identity and appeal, embraced by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Teal over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Teal in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Teal, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02579199620092023

Decades

Teal by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Teal 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 #5687 3 1
2010s #3967 51 9
2000s #4398 10 3
1990s #3513 7 2

Related

Names similar to Teal

FAQ

Teal: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Teal was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Teal most popular?

The peak year on record was 2013, with 9 babies registered as Teal in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Teal?

A feminine name meaning "green-blue" from the color term.

How many people are called Teal in the UK?

A total of 71 babies have been registered as Teal across the 15 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.