Fuel or derived from the surname Thiesel
Originally a German surname, it is a diminutive of Matthias, meaning 'gift of God.' In modern contexts, it is strongly associated with the fuel type and the internal combustion engine invented by Rudolf Diesel. It has gained traction as a rugged, high-energy given name in the United States.
Less common today
Diesel isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,187 in 2014.
Inventor of the diesel engine
An antagonistic black shunting engine · Thomas & Friends
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
