UK boy's name
Gamal
A masculine Arabic name meaning "camel driver" or "bearer of good fortune".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gamal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gamal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Gamal. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gamal ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Gamal.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gamal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Gamal mean?
The name Gamal has its origins in the Arabic language, derived from the word "jamal," which means "beauty" or "camel." It is a masculine given name that has been in use for centuries within the Arab and Islamic cultures.
In the 7th century, during the early days of Islam, the name gained prominence as it was borne by one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad, known as Gamal ibn Thabit. He was a renowned poet and served as a scribe for the Prophet, contributing to the compilation of the Quran.
The name Gamal has also been associated with various historical figures throughout the ages. One notable bearer was Gamal al-Din al-Afghani, an influential Islamic reformist and political activist who lived in the 19th century (1838-1897). He played a significant role in promoting pan-Islamic unity and resistance against Western imperialism.
Another prominent figure was Gamal Abdel Nasser, the second President of Egypt, who ruled from 1956 to 1970. He was a charismatic leader and a key figure in the Arab nationalist movement, known for his role in the 1952 Egyptian Revolution and the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
In the literary world, Gamal al-Ghitani (1945-2015) was an acclaimed Egyptian novelist and writer, renowned for his innovative storytelling techniques and exploration of Egyptian identity and history.
Moving to the realm of sports, Gamal Abdel Rahim was an Egyptian weightlifter who competed in the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal in the featherweight class in 1948.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Gamal throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence and cultural significance within the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gamal over time
The chart below shows babies named Gamal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gamal, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gamal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gamal 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 | #5119 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Gamal
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Gamal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gamal in the UK right now?
In 2024, Gamal was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Gamal most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Gamal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gamal?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "camel driver" or "bearer of good fortune".
How many people are called Gamal in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Gamal across the 3 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.