How to say it
CAMP · bell
ˈkæm.bəl
Feminine
Campbell
Crooked mouth
What it means
A Scottish clan surname from Gaelic cam, 'crooked,' and beul, 'mouth,' originally a nickname.
Campbell is a Scottish surname from the Gaelic cam, 'crooked' or 'wry,' and beul, 'mouth.' It began as a descriptive nickname, Caimbeul, for someone who spoke or looked wry, and became one of Scotland's great clan names. Early records show Gillespic Cambel in 1263. Like many surnames, it moved to the first-name slot in modern American use, and it now reads as a soft, preppy choice for girls. Campbell rose to rank 617 in 2025, up from 955.
How to spell Campbell
The standard spelling is Campbell. Common variants include Cambel, Campbel, but Campbell is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #617 in 2025, currently #617 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
KAM-bull, two syllables. The p is usually silent.
- Nickname
Cam and Belle both work as short forms.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Campbell Scott American actor and director
- Naomi Campbell British supermodel whose surname helped popularize Campbell as a given name
Spelling variants
- Cambel
- Campbel
Names with the same feeling
See Campbell from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Campbell mean?
- A Scottish clan surname from Gaelic cam, 'crooked,' and beul, 'mouth,' originally a nickname.
- What does Campbell mean in Scottish?
- In Scottish, Campbell means "Crooked mouth." Campbell is a Scottish surname from the Gaelic cam, 'crooked' or 'wry,' and beul, 'mouth.' It began as a descriptive nickname, Caimbeul, for someone who spoke or looked wry, and became one of Scotland's great clan names. Early records show Gillespic Cambel in 1263. Like many surnames, it moved to the first-name slot in modern American use, and it now reads as a soft, preppy choice for girls. Campbell rose to rank 617 in 2025, up from 955.
- How do you pronounce Campbell?
- Campbell is pronounced ˈkæm.bəl. Say it as CAMP-bell, with the stress on the "camp" syllable.
- How do you spell Campbell?
- The standard spelling is Campbell. Common spelling variants include Cambel, Campbel.
- Is Campbell a boy or girl name?
- Campbell is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Campbell?
- Campbell ranked #617 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.