UK boy's name
Arsal
An Arabic name meaning lion or lion-hearted.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Arsal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Arsal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 6 births.
This profile covers 40 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2006 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 40 living people in the UK are called Arsal. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Arsal ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 6 boys were registered as Arsal.
- • About 40 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arsal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4107
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2015
6 births
Estimated living
40
2026
Meaning
What does Arsal mean?
The name Arsal is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "ars" which means "lion" or "brave," suggesting that the name may have been given to individuals who exhibited courage or strength.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Arsal can be traced back to the 8th century, when it was mentioned in various Arabic literary works and historical texts. During this time, the name was particularly popular among the Arabic-speaking populations of the Middle East and North Africa.
In the Islamic tradition, there are few direct references to the name Arsal in religious scriptures or texts. However, the name's association with bravery and strength aligns with values celebrated in Islamic teachings, which may have contributed to its popularity among Muslim communities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Arsal. One of the earliest known figures was Arsal ibn Mundhir (born around 690 CE), a prominent Arab military leader and governor during the Umayyad Caliphate. He played a significant role in the expansion of Islamic rule in Central Asia.
Another historical figure with the name Arsal was Arsal ibn Sahl al-Tustari (born around 818 CE), a renowned Sufi mystic and scholar from Persia. His teachings and writings on Islamic spirituality and mysticism had a lasting impact on the development of Sufism.
In the 12th century, Arsal al-Shushtari (born around 1135 CE) was a celebrated Persian poet and philosopher. His works, which explored themes of love, mysticism, and the human condition, earned him widespread recognition and influence in the literary circles of the time.
During the 13th century, Arsal al-Wazir (born around 1210 CE) was a prominent statesman and vizier in the Ayyubid Sultanate of Egypt and Syria. He played a crucial role in the administration and diplomacy of the region, and his political acumen was highly regarded.
In more recent history, Arsal Khan (born in 1801 CE), was a prominent military leader and chief of the Barakzai tribe in Afghanistan. He played a significant role in the Afghan civil wars of the 19th century and was known for his strategic military prowess.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Arsal throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arsal over time
The chart below shows babies named Arsal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Arsal, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arsal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arsal was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4376 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3680 | 23 | 5 |
| 2000s | #4052 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Arsal
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Arsal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arsal in the UK right now?
In 2023, Arsal was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Arsal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 6 babies registered as Arsal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arsal?
An Arabic name meaning lion or lion-hearted.
How many people are called Arsal in the UK?
A total of 40 babies have been registered as Arsal across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.