Mound or hill; also a diminutive of Terence or Telfer.
As a standalone name, Tel often derives from the Hebrew word for an archaeological mound or hill. It is also frequently used in the United Kingdom as a traditional short form for names like Terence or Telfer. In a modern context, it is exceptionally rare as a given name in the United States.
Fewer than 5 boys were named Tel in 2025.
A character and companion of the protagonist · The Saga of Recluce
A minor character in the fantasy series · The Wheel of Time
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
