Kamal
An Arabic surname meaning "perfection," "completeness," or referring to a type of orange marigold flower.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 3,051 Americans carry the last name Kamal. That puts it at #11,932 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.89 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 112,342 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kamal surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
3.1K
1 in 112,342
Census rank
#11,932
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.9
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
2.6K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 2,623 bearers of the surname Kamal in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.89 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 11932nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kamal, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 59.4%. The next largest groups are White (28.1%) and Black (5.9%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kamal
The surname Kamal has its roots in the Arabic language, originating from the Middle East and North Africa regions. It traces its origins back to the 7th century AD during the Islamic Golden Age.
Kamal is derived from the Arabic word 'kamal,' which means 'perfection' or 'excellence.' It was initially used as a descriptive name to denote individuals who exhibited exceptional qualities or achievements.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kamal can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher, Al-Farabi (870-950 AD). He mentioned a mathematician named Abu Kamil Shuja ibn Aslam, who lived in the late 9th century and was known for his contributions to the field of algebra.
During the medieval period, the name Kamal gained prominence in various regions of the Islamic world. In the 12th century, a notable figure named Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes (1126-1198 AD), a renowned Andalusian philosopher and scholar, bore the name Kamal.
Moving forward, the name Kamal was also associated with notable figures in the Ottoman Empire. One such individual was Kemal Pasha (1833-1913), an Ottoman statesman and military leader who played a significant role in the modernization of the Ottoman Empire's military forces.
In more recent times, the surname Kamal has been carried by several influential personalities. One noteworthy figure was Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, who was instrumental in establishing a secular and modern Turkish state.
Another prominent individual with the surname Kamal was Mustafa Kamal (1920-2012), a renowned Bangladeshi writer, novelist, and playwright, who made significant contributions to the literary and cultural landscape of his country.
It is worth noting that the name Kamal has also been associated with various place names and geographical locations across the Middle East and North Africa. For instance, there is a town called Kamal in Iran, and a city named Kamal in Tunisia, both of which may have derived their names from individuals bearing the surname Kamal.
Overall, the surname Kamal has a rich history and cultural significance, deeply rooted in the Arabic language and the Islamic tradition. It has been carried by scholars, philosophers, statesmen, and literary figures over the centuries, signifying its enduring presence and influence across various regions and civilizations.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kamal
Among Census respondents with the surname Kamal, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 59.4%. The next largest groups are White (28.1%) and Black (5.9%).
The bar chart below shows how Kamal bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kamal surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander59.4%
- White28.1%
- Black or African American5.9%
- Two or more races5.5%
- Hispanic or Latino0.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.2%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kamal surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,932 | #11,932 | 0.0% |
| Count | 2,623 | 2,623 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kamal bearers went from 2,623 to 2,623 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #11,932 to #11,932.
FAQ
Kamal surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kamal?
The surname Kamal holds position #11,932 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 3,051 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.89 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kamal surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kamal, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 59.4%. The next largest groups are White (28.1%) and Black (5.9%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.