UK boy's name
Gopal
A masculine Hindu name derived from Sanskrit meaning "cowherd" or "protector of cows".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gopal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gopal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Gopal. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gopal ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 4 boys were registered as Gopal.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gopal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4432
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Gopal mean?
Gopal is a Sanskrit name that has its origins in Hindu mythology and culture. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words 'go' meaning cow and 'pal' meaning protector or nurturer. Together, the name Gopal means 'protector of cows' or 'cowherd'.
The name is closely associated with the Hindu deity Lord Krishna, who is revered as the divine cowherd and protector of cattle. Lord Krishna is often depicted playing his flute, surrounded by cows and gopas (cowherds). The name Gopal is one of the many names used to address Lord Krishna, highlighting his divine role as the protector and caretaker of cows.
The name Gopal finds references in ancient Hindu texts, including the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. These sacred scriptures describe the childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna as Gopal, playing with his cowherd friends in the idyllic village of Vrindavan. The name has been widely used among Hindu communities, particularly in India, for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gopal can be found in the writings of the renowned Indian poet and scholar, Jayadeva, who lived in the 12th century AD. In his famous work, the Gita Govinda, Jayadeva celebrates the divine love between Lord Krishna (Gopal) and his consort, Radha.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gopal. Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915) was a prominent Indian social reformer and political leader who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. Gopal Chandra Bhattacharya (1863-1917) was a renowned Bengali writer and educator who made significant contributions to children's literature in India.
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar (1856-1895) was a pioneering Marathi writer and social reformer who championed women's education and the abolition of the caste system. Gopal Mukherjee (1887-1965) was a distinguished Indian scientist and chemist known for his pioneering work in the field of crystallography.
Gopal Das Neeraj (1925-2018) was a celebrated Hindi poet and lyricist, known for his timeless contributions to Hindi literature and Bollywood film songs. His name, Neeraj, was a pen name, while his given name was Gopal Das.
The name Gopal continues to be popular among Hindu communities, particularly in India, as it carries deep cultural and religious significance, symbolizing the divine love and protection associated with Lord Krishna.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gopal over time
The chart below shows babies named Gopal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gopal, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gopal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gopal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3467 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2861 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Gopal
- 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
Gopal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gopal in the UK right now?
In 2008, Gopal was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Gopal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 4 babies registered as Gopal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gopal?
A masculine Hindu name derived from Sanskrit meaning "cowherd" or "protector of cows".
How many people are called Gopal in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Gopal across the 5 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.