Chanel \ch(a)-nel\ as a girl's name is pronounced sha-NELL. It is of Old French origin, and the meaning of Chanel is "pipe". From a French occupational name and surname for pipe fitters and manufacturers. Contemporary usage may be due to the influence of the legendary fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel (1883-1971), and a number of famous perfumes. Also the name of a 14th-century French missionary saint.

Chanel has 13 variant forms: Chanele, Chanell, Chanelle, Channell, Channelle, Chenelle, Shanel, Shanell, Shanelle, Shannel, Shannelle, Shenelle and Shynelle.

Baby names that sound like Chanel are Shenell, Shannell, Shanelly and Shanella.