Fun Facts About the Name Gamaliel
- More than 1 thousand babies named Gamaliel: U.S. records list 1,951 babies given the name Gamaliel from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Gamaliel Mean?
Gamaliel comes from the Hebrew name Gamliel (גַּמְלִיאֵל), formed from two elements: the verb gamal, meaning "to deal bountifully, to repay, to reward," and El, "God." The usual literal sense is "God is my reward" or "God has rewarded me." The Hebrew noun gamal also means "camel," and some popular explanations read the name as "camel of God," but that is generally treated as a folk etymology; the standard derivation is from the verb "to reward." The name passed into Greek as Γαμαλιήλ and into Latin as Gamaliel in the Septuagint and Vulgate, and the English form comes from those biblical translations.
Gamaliel Name History & Origins
Gamaliel is a biblical name. In the Hebrew Bible it belongs to Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the tribe of Manasseh who was counted in the wilderness census and who brought the tribe's offering at the dedication of the altar (Numbers 1:10; 2:20; 7:54 - 59; 10:23).
The better-known bearer is the Gamaliel of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5:34 - 39), a Pharisee and respected teacher of the law in the Sanhedrin who advised the council against putting the apostles to death. Acts 22:3 has Paul say he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel. Rabbinic literature knows a Rabban Gamaliel the Elder, a leading first-century Pharisee and president of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, who is traditionally identified with the figure in Acts. The name then runs through his descendants, notably Gamaliel II, head of the academy at Yavne after the destruction of the Temple, who is cited frequently in the Mishnah. Christian tradition, particularly in Eastern churches, holds that Gamaliel became a believer and was venerated as a saint, sometimes in connection with the burial of Stephen.
Because the name appears in both the Old and New Testaments, it entered European languages through the Greek and Latin Bible, and the English form is essentially the Latin spelling. The Hebrew form Gamliel remains in use in Jewish communities, while the English form Gamaliel has stayed uncommon in English-speaking countries.
How Popular is the Name Gamaliel?
Gamaliel has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2004. Its best rank was #1,801 in 1979.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,208 | 37 | 0.0022% |
| 2024 | #3,535 | 32 | 0.0019% |
| 2023 | #2,814 | 45 | 0.0026% |
| 2022 | #3,293 | 36 | 0.0021% |
| 2021 | #3,380 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 2020 | #4,184 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2019 | #2,870 | 43 | 0.0024% |
| 2018 | #3,011 | 39 | 0.0021% |
| 2017 | #3,027 | 39 | 0.0021% |
| 2016 | #2,739 | 44 | 0.0023% |
| 2015 | #2,935 | 40 | 0.0021% |
| 2014 | #2,859 | 41 | 0.0021% |
| 2013 | #3,076 | 36 | 0.0019% |
| 2012 | #3,192 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 2011 | #3,327 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 2010 | #2,698 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 2009 | #2,671 | 46 | 0.0023% |
| 2008 | #2,643 | 47 | 0.0023% |
| 2007 | #2,773 | 43 | 0.0021% |
| 2006 | #2,418 | 51 | 0.0025% |
| 2005 | #2,251 | 53 | 0.0027% |
| 2004 | #2,111 | 56 | 0.0028% |
| 2003 | #2,244 | 48 | 0.0024% |
| 2002 | #2,313 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 2001 | #2,066 | 51 | 0.0026% |
| 2000 | #2,205 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 1999 | #2,146 | 44 | 0.0023% |
| 1998 | #2,516 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 1997 | #2,143 | 41 | 0.0022% |
| 1996 | #2,959 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1995 | #2,576 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 1994 | #2,797 | 26 | 0.0013% |
| 1993 | #2,471 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 1992 | #2,268 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 1991 | #2,363 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 1990 | #1,984 | 38 | 0.0019% |
| 1989 | #2,265 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 1988 | #2,543 | 23 | 0.0012% |
| 1987 | #2,502 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 1986 | #2,182 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 1985 | #2,536 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1984 | #1,904 | 29 | 0.0016% |
| 1983 | #2,164 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1982 | #2,224 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 1981 | #2,369 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1980 | #2,390 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1979 | #1,801 | 31 | 0.0018% |
| 1978 | #2,029 | 24 | 0.0015% |
| 1977 | #2,028 | 24 | 0.0015% |
| 1976 | #1,954 | 25 | 0.0016% |
| 1975 | #2,573 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 1974 | #3,201 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1973 | #2,763 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1972 | #2,034 | 20 | 0.0012% |
| 1971 | #2,603 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1970 | #3,146 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #2,595 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1968 | #4,336 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1965 | #2,865 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1964 | #3,118 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1962 | #4,261 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1961 | #3,467 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #3,461 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #3,740 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1958 | #2,903 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1957 | #4,187 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1956 | #4,133 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1954 | #3,579 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1949 | #3,881 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1933 | #3,422 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1924 | #4,600 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1921 | #4,043 | 6 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Gamaliel Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are introspective, prophetic, philosophical, and soul searching, but also can be analytical, critical and opinionated. You think deeply and clearly, have an air of mystery, can be solitary and secretive. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Gamaliel's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Gamaliel's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.