Ansel – Name Meaning
Ansel is a masculine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic elements ans, meaning “God” and helm, meaning “helmet” or “protection”. The name Ansel is also sometimes used as a surname.
History and Origin
The name Ansel has its roots in the Germanic language, which was spoken by the ancient Germanic tribes who lived in what is now Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of France and Italy. The name Ansel was first recorded in the 11th century as Anshelm. It was popularized by Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), an Italian-born Benedictine monk who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093.
Anselm was known for his philosophical works on faith and reason, which had a great influence on medieval theology. He is also remembered for his famous prayer: “O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the things which are invisible to me.”
Popularity
The name Ansel has been steadily increasing in popularity since the 19th century. In the United States, it ranked at #717 in 2018. In England and Wales, it ranked at #1,845 in 2018.
Famous People Named Ansel
Famous people named Ansel include:
- Ansel Adams (1902-1984), American photographer and environmentalist
- Ansel Elgort (born 1994), American actor and musician
- Ansel Englund (born 1998), American professional snowboarder
- Anselmo de Cantuaria (1033-1109), Italian-born Benedictine monk and Archbishop of Canterbury
Variations of the Name Ansel
Variations of the name Ansel include: Ainsley, Ainslie, Ansley, Ansly, Ansleigh, Ansleye, Anslye.
