Find out how popular the first name Jamala has been for the last 28 years (from 1974 to 2001) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jamala by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Jamala is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2001, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jamala.

The history of the first name Jamala

The name Jamala is believed to have originated from the Arabic language and can be traced back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "jamal," meaning beauty or grace. The earliest known usage of the name Jamala was in the Arabian Peninsula, where it was given to girls as a symbol of their physical and inner beauty.

Over time, the name spread to various regions of the Middle East and North Africa, where it gained popularity among Muslim communities. In Islamic culture, names often carry profound meanings and are chosen with great care, reflecting the values and aspirations of the parents for their child.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jamala can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi, who lived in the 10th century CE. In his poetic works, he referred to a woman named Jamala, describing her beauty and elegance with eloquent verses.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Jamala. One of the most famous was Jamala Mukhtar al-Husayni (1898-1986), a Palestinian Arab nationalist and activist who played a significant role in the struggle for Palestinian independence during the British Mandate period.

Another prominent figure was Jamala al-Kazaliyah (1223-1292), a renowned Sufi mystic and poet from present-day Iran. Her spiritual poems and teachings continue to inspire many across the Islamic world.

In the realm of music, Jamala is the stage name of Susana Jamaladinova (born 1983), a Ukrainian singer and songwriter of Crimean Tatar descent. She gained international recognition after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 with her powerful performance of the song "1944," which shed light on the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people during World War II.

Jamala Baghirov (1846-1911) was an influential Azerbaijani educator and writer who made significant contributions to the development of education and literature in the region.

Additionally, Jamala Mukhtar (born 1958) is a renowned Sudanese writer and activist who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice in her country.

While the name Jamala has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained popularity in various parts of the world, embraced for its beautiful meaning and melodic sound.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jamala was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jamala, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!