Gamaliel Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: gah-MAL-ee-el //ɡəˈmæl.i.əl//
Origin: Hebrew; Aramaic
Meaning: Hebrew: 'God is my reward'; Aramaic: 'the reward of God'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gamaliel has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the elements 'gamal,' meaning 'to reward' or 'to benefit,' and 'El,' which translates to 'God.' This etymological foundation reflects a meaning akin to 'God is my reward.' The name appears in historical texts as 'Gamaliel' (גמליאל) and was transliterated into Greek as 'Gamaliel' (Γαμαλιήλ), which subsequently influenced its Latin form before entering the English lexicon through translations of biblical texts. Gamaliel is notably mentioned in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts, where he is described as a respected Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin during the 1st century CE.
His role in the early Christian narrative is significant; he is portrayed as a voice of moderation and wisdom, advocating for a cautious approach towards the apostles. This mention contributes to the name's historical prominence, particularly within Judeo-Christian traditions.
Throughout history, the name Gamaliel has been associated with wisdom and scholarly pursuits, reflecting the character of its biblical namesake. The name has been embraced in various cultures, often symbolizing a connection to religious scholarship and moral integrity.
In Jewish tradition, Gamaliel is also recognized as a prominent rabbi, further solidifying the name's cultural resonance. The diminutive form 'Gamal' has also been used in some contexts, though Gamaliel remains the more formal and historically significant version.
Overall, the name carries connotations of divine reward and intellectual authority, rooted deeply in its ancient origins.
Famous people named Gamaliel
In this section, you will find notable people named Gamaliel. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gamaliel who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gamaliel who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Gamaliel is a biblical figure best known for his role as a Pharisee and teacher of the law in the New Testament.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gamaliel, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gamaliel. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gamaliel was first seen in the United States in 1921.
Gamaliel has ranked as high as #1286 nationally, which occurred in 2004, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Gamaliel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gamaliel is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gamaliel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gamaliel (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gamaliel.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2023 | 45 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 43 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2008 | 47 |
| 2007 | 43 |
| 2006 | 51 |
| 2005 | 53 |
| 2004 | 56 |
| 2003 | 48 |
| 2002 | 45 |
| 2001 | 51 |
| 2000 | 45 |
| 1999 | 44 |
| 1998 | 34 |
| 1997 | 41 |
| 1996 | 25 |
| 1995 | 29 |
| 1994 | 26 |
| 1993 | 30 |
| 1992 | 33 |
| 1991 | 30 |
| 1990 | 38 |
| 1989 | 30 |
| 1988 | 23 |
| 1987 | 22 |
| 1986 | 26 |
| 1985 | 20 |
| 1984 | 29 |
| 1983 | 24 |
| 1982 | 23 |
| 1981 | 21 |
| 1980 | 21 |
| 1979 | 31 |
| 1978 | 24 |
| 1977 | 24 |
| 1976 | 25 |
| 1975 | 16 |
| 1974 | 11 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1972 | 20 |
| 1971 | 14 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1965 | 9 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1959 | 6 |
| 1958 | 9 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1954 | 6 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1933 | 6 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1921 | 6 |