UK boy's name
Jemal
An Arabic masculine name derived from the word "jamal" meaning beauty or handsomeness.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Jemal is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Jemal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1996 to 2018. 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 24 living people in the UK are called Jemal. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Jemal ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 boys were registered as Jemal.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Jemal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Jemal mean?
The name Jemal has its origins in Arabic culture and is derived from the Arabic word "jamal," meaning "beauty" or "camel." It is believed to have been in use as a given name since the early days of Islam, around the 7th century AD.
In Arabic, the name Jemal is spelled جمال, and its pronunciation can vary slightly depending on the region or dialect. It is a popular name in many Arab countries, as well as in regions with significant Arab or Islamic influence.
One of the earliest known historical references to the name Jemal can be found in the Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam. The word "jamal" is mentioned in several verses, often in the context of describing beauty or referring to camels, which were highly valued in Arabian culture.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Jemal. One of the most famous was Jemal ad-Din al-Afghani (1838-1897), an Islamic philosopher and political activist who played a significant role in the late 19th century pan-Islamic movement.
Another prominent figure was Jemal Pasha (1872-1922), an Ottoman military leader and one of the three leaders of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. He was known for his harsh governance of the Syrian provinces and his involvement in the Armenian Genocide.
In the field of literature, Jemal Karshenas (1952-2022) was an Iranian poet and writer who gained recognition for his works exploring themes of love, mysticism, and social commentary.
Jemal Abdulloev (born 1945) is a renowned Tajik composer and musician, known for his contributions to the traditional music of Tajikistan and his efforts in preserving the country's cultural heritage.
Jemal Govardhan (1938-2000) was an Indian actor and comedian, known for his comedic roles in numerous Bollywood films and television shows, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
The name Jemal has maintained its popularity over the centuries, and while its usage may vary across different regions and cultures, it continues to hold significance and historical relevance, particularly in the Arabic and Islamic world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Jemal over time
The chart below shows babies named Jemal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Jemal, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jemal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Jemal 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 | #4445 | 10 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3217 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2650 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Jemal
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Jemal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Jemal in the UK right now?
In 2018, Jemal was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Jemal most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Jemal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Jemal?
An Arabic masculine name derived from the word "jamal" meaning beauty or handsomeness.
How many people are called Jemal in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Jemal across the 7 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.