Nawal
Meaning of Nawal
Nawal, an Arabic feminine given name pronounced NAH-wahl (/nɑːwɑːl/), derives from the triliteral root n-w-l, which conveys the act of granting or bestowing; its semantic field encompasses generosity, beneficence and divine favour, attributes that have ensured its enduring appeal across Arabic-speaking societies. Employed historically in classical poetry and Islamic literary tradition as a celebration of magnanimity, the name conveys an aspirational ideal of largesse and goodwill. In the United States, Nawal has intermittently appeared in the Social Security Administration’s annual top 1,000 list for girls since the early 1980s—peaking at rank 776 in 1981—and most recently was bestowed on 43 newborns, placing it at number 907 in 2024. This pattern of modest yet sustained usage illustrates the gradual integration of Arabic onomastic elements into broader Anglo-American naming practices.
Pronunciation
Arabic
- Pronunced as NAH-wahl (/nɑːwɑːl/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Nawal
| Nawal El Saadawi - |
| Nawal El Moutawakel - |
| Nawal Mansouri - |
