UK boy's name
Remel
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "golden sand".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Remel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Remel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3451, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 9 births.
This profile covers 99 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. 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 56% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 98 living people in the UK are called Remel. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Remel ranked #3451 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 9 boys were registered as Remel.
- • About 98 living people in the UK are estimated to have Remel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3451
2021
Births in 2021
5
Latest year
Peak year
1998
9 births
Estimated living
98
2026
Meaning
What does Remel mean?
The name Remel is believed to have originated in the Middle East, deriving from the Arabic word 'raml,' which means 'sand.' The earliest known use of the name dates back to the 7th century, during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. It is thought to have been a name given to those born in or near the desert regions, reflecting the importance of sand as a natural resource and a symbol of endurance in the harsh desert environment.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Remel can be found in the works of the renowned Arab scholar and historian, Al-Tabari (838-923 CE). In his comprehensive historical chronicles, he references a companion of the Prophet Muhammad known as Remel ibn Abi al-Aswad, who participated in the early Muslim conquests and the spread of Islam across the Middle East.
Throughout the medieval period, the name Remel appeared sporadically in various historical accounts and literary works from the Arabic-speaking world. One notable figure was Remel al-Andalusi (1056-1126 CE), a renowned poet and philosopher from Al-Andalus (present-day Spain and Portugal), who was celebrated for his contributions to the intellectual and cultural renaissance of the Islamic Golden Age.
In the 13th century, a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist, Remel al-Din al-Suyuti (1445-1505 CE), achieved fame for his extensive writings on Islamic law, hadith (prophetic traditions), and Quranic exegesis. His works have been widely studied and referenced by Islamic scholars throughout the centuries.
During the Ottoman Empire, the name Remel was borne by several notable figures, including Remel Pasha (1645-1703 CE), a successful military commander and governor who served under Sultan Mehmed IV. His military campaigns and administrative reforms contributed to the expansion and consolidation of Ottoman power in the 17th century.
In more recent history, Remel Ghani (1901-1977 CE) was a prominent Egyptian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and represented Egypt in various international forums. He played a crucial role in shaping Egypt's foreign policy during a turbulent period in the nation's history.
While the name Remel has remained relatively uncommon outside the Arabic-speaking world, it has persisted as a unique and culturally significant name, reflecting its deep-rooted origins in the rich heritage of the Middle East.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Remel over time
The chart below shows babies named Remel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Remel, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2021, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Remel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Remel 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 | #3451 | 5 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3848 | 31 | 7 |
| 2000s | #2689 | 35 | 7 |
| 1990s | #1658 | 28 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Remel
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Remel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Remel in the UK right now?
In 2021, Remel was ranked #3451 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Remel most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 9 babies registered as Remel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Remel?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "golden sand".
How many people are called Remel in the UK?
A total of 99 babies have been registered as Remel across the 19 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.