Rising since 1985, #1,241 for girls today.
Popularity of Amal since 1962
Babies named Amal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 36 | 0 |
| 1970s | 163 | 14 |
| 1980s | 306 | 40 |
| 1990s | 526 | 83 |
| 2000s | 738 | 100 |
| 2010s | 1,142 | 67 |
| 2020s | 1,230 | 68 |
Meaning & origin
Amal, an Arabic name meaning 'hope,' has seen a steady rise in popularity in the United States since 1985, reflecting a broader appreciation for names of Arabic origin. In 2025, it ranked 1241st nationally, with a 1-in-8880 rate, and its peak year to date was 2021. The name is most common in Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey, states with significant Arab-American communities. While Amal has been recorded in U.S. data since 1962, its recent trajectory suggests growing appeal beyond its traditional cultural roots.
Amal originates from the Arabic word أمل (ʾamal), meaning 'hope' or 'aspiration.' It is used as a given name for both girls and boys in the Arab world, though in the United States it is more commonly given to girls. The name has been used in the Levant and across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries.
Where Amal is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Amal” around the world
Where Amal lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
13
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Sibling names for Amal
Names that share Amal's style, for a brother or sister.
