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Chantel

Girl name · 62 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Chantel: 62 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 8 births in 2001.

Chantel is a name that primarily developed as an elaboration of the French word “chante,” meaning “to sing,” giving it a lyrical and musical feel. It is often considered a variant of Chantal, which itself honours the 17th-century Saint Jeanne-Françoise Frémyot de Chantal, founder of the Order of the Visitation. Though less common than Chantal, the name has appeared in popular culture, most notably through Chantel Jeffries, an American model and media personality. The spelling Chantel is particularly familiar in Scotland and other English-speaking countries as a refined alternative to the original French form. While no major places bear this specific spelling, the name shares its root with the French commune of Chanteloup, meaning “stone of the wolf.” In Scottish naming records, Chantel saw modest popularity from the 1980s onwards, often chosen for its elegant, melodic sound.