UK girl's name
Pal
A masculine name of Hindi origin meaning "protector" or "friend".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Pal is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Pal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 6 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2009 to 2017. 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 19 living people in the UK are called Pal. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Pal ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 6 girls were registered as Pal.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Pal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
6 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Pal mean?
The name Pal has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. In Sanskrit, the word "pal" means "to nourish" or "to nurture." It is believed that the name Pal emerged as a given name during the medieval period in India, around the 6th to 12th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Pal can be found in Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata. In these ancient texts, Pal is mentioned as a name of various characters, both divine and mortal. The name was particularly popular among the warrior class, as it symbolized strength and protection.
During the medieval period in India, the name Pal was widely adopted by rulers and nobles from various dynasties. One of the most prominent figures bearing this name was Pal Raja, who ruled the Pala Empire in the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent from the 8th to the 12th century. The Pala Empire was known for its patronage of Buddhist art and architecture, and many monuments and temples from this era can still be found in the regions of Bengal and Bihar.
Another notable figure with the name Pal was Pal Naik, a 17th-century Maratha warrior and military leader who played a crucial role in the expansion of the Maratha Empire under the leadership of Shivaji. Pal Naik is remembered for his bravery and strategic military tactics in various battles against the Mughal Empire.
In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook Pal Kavitray, a renowned Bengali poet and scholar who lived during the 18th century. His works, which included poetry, plays, and translations, were highly influential in the literary circles of Bengal and contributed significantly to the development of Bengali literature.
Another notable figure with the name Pal was Pal Singh Bundelkhand, a 19th-century Indian ruler and military leader from the Bundelkhand region. He is remembered for his resistance against the British East India Company and his efforts to protect the sovereignty of his kingdom.
Throughout history, the name Pal has been associated with strength, nurturing, and protection, reflecting its Sanskrit roots. While it originated in the Indian subcontinent, the name has since spread to various parts of the world, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Pal over time
The chart below shows babies named Pal registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Pal, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Pal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Pal 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 | #4974 | 16 | 4 |
| 2000s | #5556 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Pal
- Poppy 52,802
- Phoebe 47,609
- Paige 24,717
- Penelope 13,109
- Pippa 6,346
- Polly 5,678
- Philippa 4,446
- Penny 4,394
- Paris 4,372
- Piper 3,961
- Pearl 3,516
- Paisley 3,419
FAQ
Pal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Pal in the UK right now?
In 2017, Pal was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Pal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 6 babies registered as Pal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Pal?
A masculine name of Hindi origin meaning "protector" or "friend".
How many people are called Pal in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Pal 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.