NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Mashal

A unisex Urdu name meaning "proverb" or "parable".

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.

Mashal is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Mashal 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 2022, with 8 births.

This profile covers 69 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1998 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 69 living people in the UK are called Mashal. 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

  • Mashal ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 8 girls were registered as Mashal.
  • About 69 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mashal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 87.3% of Mashal registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

8 births

Estimated living

69

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Mashal

In England and Wales birth records, Mashal has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 12.7% of registrations are for boys and 87.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

13% boys
87% girls
Boys10 (12.7%)Girls69 (87.3%)

Mashal registered for boys

  • Ranked #5,119 in 2024
  • 3 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2008 (4 births)

Mashal registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2022 (8 births)

Meaning

What does Mashal mean?

The name Mashal has its origins rooted in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "mishal," which means "example" or "parable." The name is often associated with wisdom, guidance, and metaphorical teachings.

One of the earliest recorded appearances of the name Mashal can be found in Islamic literature, specifically in the Quran, where it is used in reference to parables and metaphorical stories used to convey moral lessons. This association with wisdom and guidance has contributed to the name's enduring popularity within the Arabic-speaking world.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mashal. One of the earliest recorded examples is Mashal al-Jili, a renowned Sufi scholar and mystic who lived in the 13th century (1232-1309 CE). He is best known for his influential work, "Al-Insān al-Kāmil" (The Perfect Man), which explored the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of human existence.

Another prominent figure bearing the name Mashal was Mashal ibn Abi al-Walid al-Azdi, a renowned Arab poet and literary figure who lived in the 8th century (714-785 CE). His poetry and literary works were highly regarded and celebrated for their eloquence and metaphorical language.

In more recent times, Mashal Bin Fahad Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, held various positions within the Saudi government, including serving as the Minister of Education from 1992 to 1996.

Mashal Armanazi, an Egyptian writer and novelist, gained recognition for his contributions to Arabic literature in the 20th century (1920-2002). His works often explored themes of social justice and the human condition.

Mashal Malik, a Pakistani politician and activist, has been a prominent figure in the country's political landscape. She served as the chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party from 2019 to 2022 and has been a vocal advocate for human rights and democratic reforms.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Mashal, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual discourse.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Mashal over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Mashal in England and Wales, from 1998 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 Mashal, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02468199820112024

Decades

Mashal by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mashal 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 #3972 22 4
2010s #4685 26 6
2000s #4401 14 4
1990s #3537 7 2

Related

Names similar to Mashal

FAQ

Mashal: questions and answers

How popular is the name Mashal in the UK right now?

In 2024, Mashal was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Mashal most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 8 babies registered as Mashal in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Mashal?

A unisex Urdu name meaning "proverb" or "parable".

How many people are called Mashal in the UK?

A total of 69 babies have been registered as Mashal across the 16 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.