Tell

The first name Tell, which is masculine, originates from a homonymous surname, the exact meaning of which remains unclear. The name may possibly be translated as 'the Clear' or 'the young tree'.

What does the name Tell mean?

The masculine first name Tell is derived from the homonymous surname, whose meaning is not clearly defined. It could mean 'the Clear' or 'the young tree'. The linguistic roots may lie in the Germanic word 'dala', meaning 'bright' or 'clear', or in the Low German 'telge' for 'young tree' or 'oak'. Additionally, Tell is also common as a surname. This name became famous through the Swiss folk hero Wilhelm Tell, who, according to legend, became known as a hunter from the village of Bürglen in the 14th century.

Where does the name Tell come from?

The first name Tell has Germanic roots and means 'the Clear'. The etymology consists of the Germanic elements 'dala' for 'bright' or 'clear' and 'telge' for 'young tree' or 'oak' in Low German. The languages in which the name occurs are German and Swiss German.

How do you pronounce Tell?

Tell has a one-syllable, compact sound structure. The pronunciation [tɛl] emphasizes the short 'e', giving the name a direct and present sound quality. The soft yet definite ending on '-ll' rounds off the sound. Tell appears concise and tradition-conscious – a short name with a clear form and strong presence.

Popularity

In Germany, Tell is considered a rare first name. In 2016, it ranked 4,252nd on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2012 at 3,479th. Over the past ten years, it has been given as a first name fewer than ten times, placing it at 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, Tell ranks 7,742nd.

Famous people

• Soulja Boy Tell 'Em (American rapper)
• Tell Geck (painter from Germany)
• Tell Olive (American actor)
• Wilhelm Tell (Wilhelm Tall) Swiss legendary figure