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Home › Baby Names Directory › Vishal

Vishal

♂ Boy

Pronounced vih-SHAAL /vɪˈʃɑːl/Medium

Meaning: From Sanskrit vishala, 'great; vast; wide; spacious; magnificent'. A long-established and widely used Indian given name, carried by many public figures in India.Medium

In 30 seconds: A Sanskrit name of scale: Vishal means 'great; vast; magnificent' (said 'vih-SHAAL').
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Origin MediumSanskrit
MeaningFrom Sanskrit vishala, 'great; vast; wide; spacious; magnificent'. A long-established and widely used Indian given name, carried by many public figures in India.
U.S. rank (2024)#14089 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,729

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200319702024

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

Vishal comes from the Sanskrit vishala, 'great; vast; wide; spacious'. It is one of the most familiar Indian boys' names of the modern era, common right across the country and among the diaspora. The meaning is generous rather than boastful: room, breadth, magnificence. It travels easily into English (said 'vih-SHAAL').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely, most often in Indian families. Rare here, very common in India.

Did you know? Vishal is Sanskrit for vast and wide — a name that reaches for scale. It has been a steady favourite across India for generations, worn by actors, composers and cricketers alike (said 'vih-SHAAL').
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Vishal — Sanskrit vishala, 'great; vast'

Variations

VishaalVisalVishala

Nicknames

VishVishu

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Vishal…

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Vishnu— a like Vish- name in wide use
Nikhil— a like two-beat Indian favorite
Anand— a like Sanskrit quality name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Vishal mean?

Vishal is Sanskrit for 'great; vast; wide; magnificent'.

How do you pronounce Vishal?

It's said vih-SHAAL /vɪˈʃɑːl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Vishal a boy or girl name?

Vishal is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Vishal?

Vishal is a rare name for boys in the U.S., though it is very common in India.

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