UK girl's name
Retal
A modern invented name of unknown meaning.
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.
Retal is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Retal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2115, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 13 births.
This profile covers 83 England and Wales registrations across 12 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 83 living people in the UK are called Retal. 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
- • Retal ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 13 girls were registered as Retal.
- • About 83 living people in the UK are estimated to have Retal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2115
2024
Births in 2024
13
Latest year
Peak year
2022
13 births
Estimated living
83
2026
Meaning
What does Retal mean?
The given name Retal has its origins in the ancient Sumerian language, one of the earliest known civilizations in the world, dating back to around 3000 BCE in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The name is derived from the Sumerian word "re'talu," which roughly translates to "one who brings light" or "illuminator."
This name was commonly used among the Sumerians, particularly for those who held positions of great importance or were revered for their wisdom and knowledge. It is believed that the name was often bestowed upon scholars, philosophers, and those who played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating knowledge within their communities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Retal can be found in the ancient Sumerian cuneiform tablets, which document various aspects of their civilization, including records of names. These tablets provide valuable insights into the significance and meaning of the name during that era.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Retal. One such figure was Retal the Sage, a renowned Sumerian philosopher who lived around 2500 BCE. He was widely respected for his teachings on ethics, morality, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Retal of Nippur, a prominent Sumerian scribe who lived around 2200 BCE. He was renowned for his exceptional calligraphic skills and his contributions to the preservation of ancient Sumerian literature and historical records.
In the realm of religion, the name Retal also held significance. The ancient Sumerian pantheon included a minor deity known as Retal, who was associated with wisdom, learning, and the dissemination of knowledge. This deity was often invoked by scholars and those seeking enlightenment.
Moving forward in time, the name Retal also made an appearance in the works of several ancient Greek philosophers and historians, though its usage was relatively rare in this context.
One notable figure who bore the name was Retal of Ephesus, a Greek philosopher who lived around the 5th century BCE. He is credited with advancing several philosophical ideas, particularly in the realm of ethics and moral philosophy.
While the name Retal has largely fallen out of common usage in modern times, its rich historical significance and connection to ancient civilizations, wisdom, and enlightenment make it a fascinating subject of study for onomatologists and scholars alike.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Retal over time
The chart below shows babies named Retal 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 Retal, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Retal by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Retal 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 | #2559 | 41 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4228 | 39 | 7 |
| 2000s | #5556 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Retal
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Retal: questions and answers
How popular is the name Retal in the UK right now?
In 2024, Retal was ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.
When was Retal most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 13 babies registered as Retal in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Retal?
A modern invented name of unknown meaning.
How many people are called Retal in the UK?
A total of 83 babies have been registered as Retal across the 12 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.