Holding steady, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Gamal since 1957
Babies named Gamal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 108 |
| 1980s | 114 |
| 1990s | 64 |
| 2000s | 34 |
| 2010s | 60 |
| 2020s | 46 |
Meaning & origin
Gamal is a masculine Arabic name meaning 'handsome' or 'beautiful,' derived from the triliteral root j-m-l. First recorded in U.S. data in 1957, the name saw a notable rise in popularity during the 1970s, peaking in 1976. By 2025, its rank had fallen to 7,194th, with only about 1 in 155,280 newborn boys being named Gamal, reflecting a stable but low frequency of use. Although its top states are not specified, Gamal has been consistently used across the country, likely influenced by cultural and political figures. The trajectory remains stable, indicating sustained but niche usage.
Gamal is the English transliteration of the Arabic name Jamal (جمال), which derives from the root j-m-l (ج م ل) meaning 'to be beautiful' or 'to be handsome.' The word also can mean 'camel' in Arabic, though the name is almost universally associated with beauty. It has been used throughout the Arabic-speaking world for centuries and was borne by the Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, which boosted its international recognition in the mid-20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Gamal
Names that share Gamal's style, for a brother or sister.
