UK boy's name
Gurpal
Derived from Sanskrit, a masculine name meaning "protector of knowledge".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gurpal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gurpal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3908, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 10 births.
This profile covers 47 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 1996 to 2015. 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 40% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Gurpal. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gurpal ranked #3908 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 10 boys were registered as Gurpal.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gurpal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3908
2015
Births in 2015
4
Latest year
Peak year
1999
10 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Gurpal mean?
The name Gurpal is a blend of two Punjabi words, "Gur" meaning teacher or spiritual guide, and "pal" meaning protector or nurturer. It originated in the Punjabi language spoken predominantly in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, with roots dating back to the 16th century.
Gurpal has deep religious significance in Sikhism, one of the major faiths originating in the Punjab region. The name is often associated with the ten Sikh Gurus, who were revered spiritual leaders and teachers of the Sikh faith. It is believed that the name Gurpal was used to honor and express devotion to these Gurus.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gurpal can be found in the Sikh scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, which contains writings and teachings of the Sikh Gurus. The name is mentioned in several verses, highlighting its importance in the Sikh tradition.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Gurpal. One such figure was Gurpal Singh (1922-1990), an Indian politician and freedom fighter who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.
Another prominent Gurpal was Gurpal Singh Bhuller (1933-2008), an Indian field hockey player who represented India in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, where the team won a gold medal. He was later awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award for his outstanding contributions to the sport.
In the field of literature, Gurpal Singh Sidhu (1920-2000) was a renowned Punjabi writer and poet who made significant contributions to the Punjabi literary scene. His works explored themes of social justice, spirituality, and the human condition.
Gurpal Kaur (1937-2022) was a celebrated Punjabi folk singer and actress, known for her soulful renditions of traditional Punjabi folk songs. She was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to the performing arts.
Gurpal Rattan (born 1949) is a notable Sikh scholar and author, who has written extensively on Sikh history, philosophy, and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. His works have been instrumental in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Sikh community.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gurpal over time
The chart below shows babies named Gurpal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gurpal, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2015, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gurpal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gurpal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3908 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3166 | 15 | 4 |
| 1990s | #1717 | 28 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Gurpal
- 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
Gurpal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gurpal in the UK right now?
In 2015, Gurpal was ranked #3908 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Gurpal most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 10 babies registered as Gurpal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gurpal?
Derived from Sanskrit, a masculine name meaning "protector of knowledge".
How many people are called Gurpal in the UK?
A total of 47 babies have been registered as Gurpal across the 9 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.