Declining since 1987, #2,765 for boys today.
Popularity of Jamel since 1950
Babies named Jamel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 15 |
| 1960s | 134 |
| 1970s | 1,713 |
| 1980s | 3,072 |
| 1990s | 2,725 |
| 2000s | 1,985 |
| 2010s | 1,205 |
| 2020s | 376 |
Meaning & origin
Jamel emerged as a distinctive spelling variant of Jamal in the U.S., first recorded in 1950. Its peak popularity came in 1988, and since 1987 its usage has been declining. In 2025, it ranked 2,765, with 1 in every 37,132 boys receiving the name. The name is closely associated with New York, which consistently ranked as the top state for Jamel. While its Arabic derivation links it to the concept of beauty, its modern form reflects the African American tradition of phonetic spellings that add uniqueness to established names.
Jamel likely derives from the Arabic name Jamal, meaning 'beauty' or 'handsome,' with a spelling variant that became popular in African American communities in the mid-20th century. The name gained visibility in the United States from the 1950s onward, particularly in New York, reflecting broader naming trends that adapted traditional names with distinctive spellings.
Where Jamel is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Jamel” around the world
Where Jamel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jay, Mel
Sibling names for Jamel
Names that share Jamel's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aaliyah, Nia, Tara, Maya, Leila, Shalonda, Shaquita, Sherika, Taneka, Tenisha, Jamecia, Jamera, Jonisha, Jovonna, Laniece, Laquesha, Latrenda, Shunta, Tamieka, Tasheka, Telisha, Deshae, Jamella, Johnesha, Keundra, Lachell, Lajoy, Lakisa, Lashawndra, Rashunda, Shamieka, Shardai, Tacarra, Sherrika, Carnesha, Felesha, Latiya, Reeshemah, Shakeila, Shaneequa, Shaquina, Taquila, Tyrhonda
Brothers: Malik, Darnell, Marcus, Troy, Rashad, Ramel, Sharod, Demetrick, Ahmaud, Demondre, Dontrel, Fuquan, Lamel, Shaquil, Jameek
Names like Jamel
Names whose popularity has moved with Jamel's over the last 50 years.
