Find out how popular the first name Rizal has been for the last 1 years (from 1998 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rizal by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Rizal is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rizal.

The history of the first name Rizal

The given name Rizal is of Spanish/Filipino origin, tracing its roots back to the 19th century. It is derived from the Spanish surname "Rizal" or "Ricial," which in turn originates from the Spanish word "riza," meaning "wave" or "curl," likely referring to curly hair.

In the Philippines, the name Rizal gained prominence due to the national hero, José Rizal (1861-1896), who played a pivotal role in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. He was a polymath, an accomplished novelist, poet, and revolutionary thinker, and his works, such as the novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," inspired a sense of national consciousness among Filipinos.

The earliest recorded use of the first name Rizal can be traced back to the late 19th century, with José Rizal being one of the most famous bearers of the name. After his execution by the Spanish authorities in 1896, the name became a symbol of patriotism and resistance against colonial oppression in the Philippines.

Apart from José Rizal, other notable historical figures who bore the first name Rizal include:

1. Rizal Alih (1925-2017), an Indonesian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia from 1978 to 1988.

2. Rizal Nurdin (born 1952), an Indonesian actor and comedian known for his roles in various movies and television shows.

3. Rizal Sukma (born 1967), an Indonesian diplomat and academic who served as the Executive Director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta.

4. Rizal Ibarrola (born 1964), a Filipino basketball player who played for the Philippine national team and various professional clubs in the Philippines.

5. Rizal Tanjuanata (born 1936), an Indonesian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia from 1973 to 1978.

While the name Rizal is predominantly associated with the Philippines and Indonesia, it has also been used in other parts of the world, although to a lesser extent. The name's connection to the iconic figure of José Rizal has imbued it with a sense of national pride and significance, particularly in the Philippines.

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 Rizal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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