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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nawal

Nawal

♀ Girl

Pronounced nah-WAHL /nɑˈwɑl/High

Meaning: Gift, present, bestowal; from Arabic nawal, 'that which is given'High

In 30 seconds: A child who is, by name, a gift: Nawal is Arabic for the thing freely given — bounty, bestowal, present. Feminist author Nawal El Saadawi and a Kuwaiti diva both carry it.
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Origin HighArabic
MeaningGift, present, bestowal; from Arabic nawal, 'that which is given'
U.S. rank (2025)#3372 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births46 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2019
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,364

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201919762025

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

Nawal is Arabic nawal, 'gift, bestowal, bounty' — that which is generously given. A classical name across the Arab world, it is carried by the trailblazing Egyptian feminist Nawal El Saadawi and the celebrated Kuwaiti singer Nawal.

In the U.S. it appears in Arab and Muslim families, rare nationally. Generous at the root, easy on the tongue.

Did you know? Egyptian writer and physician Nawal El Saadawi — one of the Arab world's boldest feminist voices — gave this 'gift' name a fierce intellectual legacy.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Nawal — etymology

Variations

NawelNaval

Nicknames

Noni

Famous Bearers

  • ★Nawal El Saadawi (1931-2021)
    Egyptian feminist author, physician, and activist who championed women's rights in the Arab world
  • ★Nawal El Moutawakel (1962-)
    Moroccan athlete who became the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal, in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Games

If you like Nawal…

Amina— a fellow Arabic classic in American use
Hiba— the companion 'gift' name in Arabic
Nadia— another crossover Arabic favorite
Jamila— a sister beauty-meaning name

Explore names like Nawal

By themearabicclassicvirtue
By meaningGift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nawal mean?

Nawal is Arabic for 'gift, present, bounty' — that which is given.

How do you pronounce Nawal?

It's said nah-WAHL /nɑˈwɑl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nawal a boy or girl name?

Nawal is a girl's name.

How popular is Nawal?

Nawal is a rare name in the U.S. and classic across the Arab world.

💬 Ask Nia