Kemal
2025 SSA
About Kemal
Kemal is a masculine name of Turkish origin meaning 'perfection' or 'maturity.' The name gained particular prominence through Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of modern Turkey. Beyond Turkey, Kemal is used throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and in Muslim communities worldwide. The name carries connotations of wisdom, accomplishment, and excellence. With its smooth sound and powerful meaning, Kemal has maintained steady popularity in Turkish-speaking regions while remaining distinctive elsewhere. The name balances cultural richness with accessibility in pronunciation for most language speakers, making it both meaningful and practical for families with Turkish heritage or those simply drawn to its positive associations.
Pronounced kuh-MAHL.
As of October 2026, Kemal ranked #13007 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #4007 in 1981.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Kemal on lists
Famous Kemals
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
founder of modern Turkey
- Kemal Curic
Bosnian automobile designer (worked for Ford)
- Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem
American radio personality
- Kemal Malovcic
Bosnian Singer
- Kemal Monteno
Bosnian singer
- Kemal Custovic
Cheerleading World Champion
Kemal in pop culture
- Kemal Pamuk
character on TV's "Downton Abbey"