Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jamal
BoyArabic· “beauty”
- Meaning
- beauty
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- juh-MAHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,197
- US babies 2025
- 169
- Best rank
- #233 (1993)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Jamal
Jamal is an Arabic name that means “beauty”.
Jamal comes from the Arabic jamal, meaning "beauty" or "grace." It has long been used across the Arab world and among Muslim families, sometimes in compound names such as Jamal al-Din, "beauty of the faith." Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian leader, carried the Egyptian pronunciation of the name. Jamal became widely used in the United States during the late twentieth century, especially among African American families. It has a warm, confident sound, and it is easy to spell and pronounce.
Popularity over time
Jamal first appears in US Social Security records in 1946. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 54 different years, starting in 1968. Its best national rank was #233 in 1993, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,245 babies. In 2025, 169 babies were named Jamal, and it ranked #1,197 nationally. That is 49% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,488 in 1950, #327 in 1980, #366 in 2000, #609 in 2010, and #1,197 in 2025. Of the 33,235 US boys named Jamal since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 7,187 babies. Since 2010, 4,534 more have been named Jamal.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Conor, Kody, Devonte, Branden, and Forrest.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jamal ranked highest in Michigan, Louisiana, and Florida.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Jamal is usually pronounced juh-MAHL, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with J and ends in “-al”.
Middle names for Jamal
A few middle names that flow with Jamal: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jamal
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Lists that include Jamal
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jamal mean?
Jamal is an Arabic name that means “beauty”.
What is the origin of the name Jamal?
Jamal has Arabic roots. Jamal comes from the Arabic jamal, meaning "beauty" or "grace." It has long been used across the Arab world and among Muslim families, sometimes in compound names such as Jamal al-Din, "beauty of the faith." Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian leader, carried the Egyptian pronunciation of the name.
Is Jamal a popular name?
Not especially. Jamal ranked #1,197 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jamal a boy or girl name?
Jamal is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Jamal?
Jamal is usually pronounced juh-MAHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings