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Manal

Girl name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Manal: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2012.

Manal is a name of Arabic origin, derived from the root word *mana*, meaning "to be granted" or "to be achieved," and translates to "achievement," "attainment," or "thing obtained"—a name that conveys a sense of accomplishment and blessing. It is borne notably by Manal al-Sharif, the Saudi women's rights activist who famously defied the country's ban on female driving, and Manal Ali, a pioneering Emirati fashion designer. Place connections are less direct, though the name shares its semantic field with many locations tied to concepts of bounty or fulfilment, such as the river Mana in Russia. Modern parents may be drawn to its gentle, positive connotations and cross-cultural appeal, though it remains rare in Scotland—a quiet, meaningful choice with a distinctly international resonance.