Declining since 1988.
Popularity of Jemal since 1968
Babies named Jemal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 251 |
| 1970s | 234 |
| 1980s | 136 |
| 1990s | 150 |
| 2000s | 86 |
| 2010s | 39 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Jemal is a masculine name that functions as a spelling variant of the more common Jamal, derived from the Arabic word for 'beauty.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1968 and reached its peak popularity the following year, in 1969, though it never entered the top 1000 nationally. Since 1988, its usage has been steadily declining. In the most recent data (2025), Jemal did not achieve a high enough frequency to produce a reliable 1-in-N estimate, indicating it remains very rare. Despite its scarcity, the name carries the same elegant meaning as its root form and offers a slightly distinctive spelling.
Jemal is a spelling variant of Jamal, a name derived from the Arabic word jamāl (جمال), meaning 'beauty' or 'handsomeness.' It entered English usage primarily through African American communities in the mid-20th century, often as a respelling that reflects pronunciation or personal preference. The name peaked briefly in the late 1960s but has since declined in frequency.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jay, Jem, J
Sibling names for Jemal
Names that share Jemal's style, for a brother or sister.
