Find out how popular the first name Zhanel has been for the last 1 years (from 1996 to 1996) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zhanel by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Zhanel is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1996, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zhanel.

The history of the first name Zhanel

The name Zhanel has its origins in the Central Asian region, particularly in Kazakhstan and surrounding areas. It is a variation of the Persian name Jāān, which means "soul" or "life." The name likely emerged in the medieval period when Persian cultural influence was strong in the region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zhanel can be found in the 13th-century epic poem "Kutadgu Bilig" by the Turkic poet Yusuf Khass Hajib. In this work, a character named Zhanel is mentioned, though little is known about the specific historical context.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Zhanel gained popularity among the Kazakh nobility and ruling classes, likely due to its Persian roots and association with nobility. Several prominent figures from this era bore the name, including Zhanel Kenzhekhanuly (1570-1634), a renowned military leader and statesman in the Kazakh Khanate.

In the 19th century, the name Zhanel appeared in the writings of several notable Kazakh poets and authors, such as Abai Qunanbayuli (1845-1904) and Mukhtar Auezov (1897-1961). These literary works helped to further popularize the name and cement its place in Kazakh culture.

Among the most famous historical figures named Zhanel was Zhanel Smatayeva (1890-1976), a pioneering Kazakh actress and singer who played a significant role in the development of Kazakh theater and performing arts in the early 20th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was Zhanel Tleuzhanova (1925-2003), a celebrated Kazakh opera singer who gained international recognition for her performances in the Soviet Union and beyond.

While the name Zhanel has its roots in Central Asian culture, it has also been adopted by individuals from other backgrounds and regions, particularly in Russia and other former Soviet republics.

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

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

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