Amal

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-MAL /ɑːˈmɑːl/High

Meaning: Hope; aspiration; from Arabic amal (hope, aspiration, expectation)High

In 30 seconds: An Arabic name simply meaning 'hope' or 'aspiration.' One of the most elegant two-syllable names across the Arab world, given global profile by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningHope; aspiration; from Arabic amal (hope, aspiration, expectation)

U.S. rank (2024)#1227 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births191 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,958

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Amal derives from Arabic amal (hope, aspiration, expectation). It is one of the most widely used names across Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities globally, valued for its beautiful meaning and simple elegance.

Amal ranked #1227 for girls in 2024, used in Arab American and broader communities.

Did you know? Amal Clooney (born Amal Alamuddin, 1978) is a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer who has represented the International Criminal Court, Julian Assange, and Nadia Murad. Her marriage to George Clooney in 2014 brought the name Amal to international prominence.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Amal — Arabic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AmaalAmale

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Amal Clooney (b. 1978)
Lebanese-British international human rights lawyer who has represented high-profile clients before international courts; wife of actor George Clooney.

If you like Amal…

Noor— Arabic name meaning light, in the same elegant two-syllable tradition

Sara— short Arabic/Hebrew name with the same clean simplicity

Zara— short Arabic name with the same crisp elegance

Reem— Arabic name meaning gazelle in the same refined two-syllable category

Layla— Arabic name meaning night in the same two-syllable tradition

Frequently Asked

What does the name Amal mean?

Amal means 'hope' or 'aspiration' in Arabic.

How do you pronounce Amal?

It's said ah-MAL — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Amal a boy or girl name?

Amal is used for both sexes in Arabic-speaking communities.

How popular is Amal?

Amal ranked #1227 for U.S. girls in 2024.