Holding steady.
Popularity of Jamala since 1972
Babies named Jamala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 61 |
| 1980s | 32 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Jamala is a rare American given name first recorded in 1972. It reached its peak popularity in 1979, but remained uncommon even then, never entering the top 1000. The name's trajectory has been stable, with sporadic usage in the decades since. Its origins are uncertain, though it likely draws from the Arabic name Jamila, meaning 'beautiful', or may represent a modern respelling. The name was most likely coined in the United States during the early 1970s, part of a broader trend of creatively reimagining familiar names. No top states were recorded, reflecting its rarity across the country.
Jamala likely emerged in the United States in the 1970s. It may be a variant of Jamila, the feminine form of Arabic Jamil meaning 'beautiful', or a respelling of Jamila. Alternatively, it could be a modern invented name drawing on sounds from names like Jamal or Camilla.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jami, Jamie, Mala
Sibling names for Jamala
Names that share Jamala's style, for a brother or sister.
