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Gamaliel

♂ Boy

Pronounced gə-MAY-lee-el /ɡəˈmeɪ.li.ɛl/High

Meaning: From Hebrew Gamliel, 'reward of God' or 'God is my recompense'; a biblical leader and a revered rabbi's nameHigh

In 30 seconds: God's own reward, in a name: Gamaliel means 'reward of God' — borne by a biblical prince, a revered rabbi who taught the apostle Paul, and a U.S. president (Warren G. Harding). Grand and scholarly.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew Gamliel, 'reward of God' or 'God is my recompense'; a biblical leader and a revered rabbi's name

U.S. rank (2025)#3208 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births37 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,951

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gamaliel comes from Hebrew Gamliel, 'reward of God' or 'God is my recompense'. It is borne by a prince of Manasseh in the Book of Numbers and by Rabban Gamaliel, the revered teacher of the apostle Paul. President Warren Gamaliel Harding carried it as a middle name.

In the U.S. it is rare, appearing in Latino, Jewish, and devout families. Reward-of-God at the root, scholarly, and grand.

Did you know? Rabban Gamaliel, mentioned in the New Testament as the teacher of the apostle Paul, was so esteemed that the Talmud says reverence for the Torah died with him.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Gamaliel — etymology

Variations

GamlielGamaliél

Nicknames

GamaLiel

Famous Bearers

★Gamaliel
first-century rabbi and Pharisee teacher named in the New Testament book of Acts
★Warren Gamaliel Harding (1865-1923)
29th President of the United States, who bore Gamaliel as his middle name

If you like Gamaliel…

Gabriel— a fellow grand -el angelic/biblical name

Nathaniel— the 'gift of God' companion name

Ezekiel— another stately Hebrew -el name

Raphael— a sister biblical -el classic

Explore names like Gamaliel

By themehebrew biblical scholarly

By meaningGod / Divine Leader

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gamaliel mean?

Gamaliel is Hebrew for 'reward of God' or 'God is my recompense', a biblical and rabbinic name.

How do you pronounce Gamaliel?

It's said gə-MAY-lee-el /ɡəˈmeɪ.li.ɛl/ — four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Gamaliel a boy or girl name?

Gamaliel is a boy's name.

How popular is Gamaliel?

Gamaliel is a rare name in the U.S.