Declining since 2022, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kemal since 1965
Babies named Kemal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 18 |
| 1980s | 40 |
| 1990s | 65 |
| 2000s | 93 |
| 2010s | 91 |
| 2020s | 61 |
Meaning & origin
Kemal is a name of Arabic origin derived from كمال (kamāl), meaning 'completeness' or 'perfection.' It has historically been popular in Turkey and across the Muslim world, in large part because of its association with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. In the United States, the name has seen modest use since entering the Social Security data in 1965, peaking in 2023 at its highest rank. In 2025, the trajectory is falling, with a rank of 12,008 and a frequency of 1 in every 341,615 births. The name is given almost exclusively to boys, reflecting its consistent gender association. While top states are not listed for this name, its usage corresponds with communities of Turkish and Middle Eastern heritage. The name also appears in variants such as Kamal and Kamaal, which carry the same meaning and origin.
From Arabic كمال (kamāl) meaning 'completeness, perfection.' It is the root of the name of the founding father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which led to its adoption across the Muslim world.
“Kemal” around the world
Where Kemal lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Kemal
Names that share Kemal's style, for a brother or sister.
