Jamal
Boy name · 50 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Jamal: 50 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 10 births in 2024.
Of Arabic origin, Jamal comes from the root *j-m-l* meaning "beauty" or "handsomeness," making it a name that literally wishes grace upon a child. It is a unisex name in many Arabic-speaking cultures, though in Scotland it has been given almost exclusively to boys. One of its most famous bearers is the jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal, whose cool, minimalist style influenced Miles Davis. In the world of activism, Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist and dissident, brought global attention to press freedom. The name also shares its root with the Swahili word *jamaa*, meaning "family" or "community," adding a warm, social dimension. A less common but related variant is Jamel, occasionally used in English-speaking countries.
Boy 11 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 202410 babies
- Latest (2024)
- #35210 babies
- Total births
- 50since 1997
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 65%vs prior 5y