Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Campbell
UnisexScottish· “crooked mouth”
- Meaning
- crooked mouth
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- KAM-buhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #617
- US babies 2025
- 474
- Best rank
- #617 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Campbell
Campbell is a Scottish name that means “crooked mouth”.
Campbell is a Scottish surname from the Gaelic Caimbeul, combining cam, "crooked", and beul, "mouth", so it means "crooked mouth", originally a nickname. Clan Campbell became one of the most powerful families in the Scottish Highlands, led by the Dukes of Argyll. The p in the spelling came from a later association with Latin campus, "field", but the p is silent in pronunciation. As a first name Campbell is used for both boys and girls in the United States. It has a distinguished, preppy feel, and Cam is a natural short form.
Popularity over time
Campbell first appears in US Social Security records in 1989. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2003. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #617, and its highest count, 474 babies. Use has grown 111% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,952 in 2000, #758 in 2010, and #617 in 2025. Of the 7,300 US girls named Campbell since records began, 41% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,522 babies. Since 2010, 4,088 more have been named Campbell.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Ocean, Tru, Aries, Merritt, and Akari.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Campbell ranked highest in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #167 | 26 |
| Mississippi | #249 | 11 |
| Tennessee | #251 | 31 |
| Arkansas | #274 | 11 |
| Georgia | #282 | 36 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Campbell is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 61% of US babies named Campbell were girls and 39% were boys.
Campbell is usually pronounced KAM-buhl, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with C and ends in “-ll”.
Middle names for Campbell
A few middle names that flow with Campbell: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Campbell
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Lists that include Campbell
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Campbell mean?
Campbell is a Scottish name that means “crooked mouth”.
What is the origin of the name Campbell?
Campbell has Scottish roots. Campbell is a Scottish surname from the Gaelic Caimbeul, combining cam, "crooked", and beul, "mouth", so it means "crooked mouth", originally a nickname.
Is Campbell a popular name?
Yes. Campbell ranked #617 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Campbell a boy or girl name?
Campbell is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 61% of US babies named Campbell were girls and 39% were boys.
How do you pronounce Campbell?
Campbell is usually pronounced KAM-buhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings