Holding steady, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Mishal since 1991
Babies named Mishal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 25 |
| 2000s | 85 |
| 2010s | 87 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Mishal entered U.S. birth records in 1991 and has remained a rare choice, with an annual occurrence of about 1 in 229,610 births as of 2025. Its peak year was 2008, after which usage stabilized. The name holds a steady but low profile, never appearing in the top 1,000. It is most common among families with Arabic heritage, reflecting the name's literal meaning of 'torch' or 'light.' While it has seen some international use, its U.S. presence is modest and stable.
Mishal derives from the Arabic word 'mish'al' (مِشْعَل), meaning a torch or light. It is a unisex name in Arabic-speaking communities, though in the U.S. it is predominantly used for girls. The name carries connotations of illumination and guidance and has been used across the Muslim world in various forms.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Misha, Mishi
Variants: Mishael, Mish'al
Sibling names for Mishal
Names that share Mishal's style, for a brother or sister.
