UK girl's name
Masal
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "allegory" or "example".
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.
Masal is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Masal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 11 births.
This profile covers 84 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2009 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 36% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 84 living people in the UK are called Masal. 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
- • Masal ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 11 girls were registered as Masal.
- • About 84 living people in the UK are estimated to have Masal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2023
11 births
Estimated living
84
2026
Meaning
What does Masal mean?
The name Masal has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating from the word "masal," which means "parable" or "proverb." This name gained popularity during the medieval period in the Middle East and North Africa.
In Islamic literature and poetry, the term "masal" was often used to convey moral lessons and wisdom through storytelling. The Quran and other religious texts are rich with parables and allegories, highlighting the significance of this word in Arabic culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Masal can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher, Abu al-Ala al-Maarri (973-1057 CE). He was known for his intricate Arabic prose and his use of parables to convey complex philosophical ideas.
Throughout history, the name Masal has been borne by several notable individuals. One such person was Masal al-Basri (d. 925 CE), an influential Sufi scholar and mystic from Basra, Iraq. Her spiritual teachings and writings on the path of self-knowledge were highly revered in her time.
In the 12th century, Masal ibn Abi al-Rizal (1117-1193 CE) was a prominent Arab mathematician and astronomer from Cordoba, Spain. His contributions to the field of mathematics, including works on spherical trigonometry and calculations related to celestial movements, were significant.
During the Ottoman Empire, Masal Pasha (1524-1597 CE) was a notable military leader and statesman. He served as the governor of several provinces and played a crucial role in the Ottoman conquests of the Balkans and the Mediterranean region.
Another notable figure was Masal al-Din al-Tusi (1201-1274 CE), a Persian polymath and prolific writer. He made significant contributions to various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and theology, and is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the medieval Islamic world.
These are just a few examples of the individuals who have borne the name Masal throughout history, reflecting its deep-rooted connection to Arabic culture, literature, and intellectual pursuits.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Masal over time
The chart below shows babies named Masal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 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 Masal, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Masal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Masal 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 | #3560 | 27 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3854 | 53 | 9 |
| 2000s | #4564 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Masal
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Masal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Masal in the UK right now?
In 2024, Masal was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Masal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 11 babies registered as Masal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Masal?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "allegory" or "example".
How many people are called Masal in the UK?
A total of 84 babies have been registered as Masal across the 14 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.