Holding steady.
Popularity of Pal since 1917
Babies named Pal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Pal's real moment was 1934.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 15 |
| 1930s | 0 | 22 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 21 |
| 1960s | 0 | 37 |
| 1970s | 0 | 18 |
| 1980s | 0 | 58 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 | 6 |
| 2010s | 5 | 5 |
| 2020s | 5 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Pal is a rare given name, first recorded in the United States in 1917. Its peak year was 1934, but it has never ranked in the top 1000 for any birth year. The name derives from the English word for friend, tracing back to Romani origins. Pal's trajectory has remained stable, with occasional usage over the decades. It did not appear among the top states for any recorded period. As a word name meaning 'friend', Pal carries a warm and informal feel, though its rarity makes it an unconventional choice.
Pal is derived from the English word 'pal', meaning friend or companion, which itself was borrowed from Romani 'phal' (brother). It has been used as a given name since the early 20th century, occasionally as a nickname and sometimes as a standalone name, particularly in the United States.
Sibling names for Pal
Names that share Pal's style, for a brother or sister.
