Gamaliel
Meaningreward of God · Hebrew
Gamaliel is a Mexican boy name meaning “reward of God”, with Hebrew roots. Many Hebrew names come from the Bible, which is why they've been carried through families for thousands of years. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Gamaliel has the name Ali hiding inside it.
- GenerationGamaliel peaked in 1979, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Gamaliel you'd meet today is about 46 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Gamaliels too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Gamaliel would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 46,083 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryGamaliel first shows up in US birth records in 1921, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 104 years since.
US births per million boys, 1921–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Gamaliel
Gamaliel is a boy name of Mexican origin meaning “reward of God”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1970s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Mexican names
More Mexican boy names
- Boy name: Liam · resolute protector
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Mateo · gift of God
- Boy name: Lucas · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Unisex name: Elias · my God is Yahweh
- Unisex name: Luca · man from Lucania
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
Questions about the name Gamaliel
What does the name Gamaliel mean?
Gamaliel means “reward of God” and comes from Hebrew. Names built around “God” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Theodore (“gift of God”), Elijah (“my God is Yahweh”), Mateo (“gift of God”) and Elias (“my God is Yahweh”).
What is the origin of the name Gamaliel?
Gamaliel is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to Hebrew. Other Mexican names to consider are Liam (“resolute protector”), Oliver (“olive tree”), Mateo (“gift of God”) and Lucas (“man from Lucania”).
Is Gamaliel a boy or girl name?
Gamaliel is a boy name. In 2025, 37 US boys were named Gamaliel.
How popular is the name Gamaliel?
Gamaliel ranked #3,181 for US boys in 2025, given to 37 babies. Its best year was 1979, when it reached #1,788. Over the last five years it has climbed 960 places.
What names are similar to Gamaliel?
If you like Gamaliel, you might also like Theodore, Elijah, Mateo and Elias.
What should I know before naming my baby Gamaliel?
Gamaliel is a Mexican boy name meaning “reward of God”, with Hebrew roots. Many Hebrew names come from the Bible, which is why they've been carried through families for thousands of years. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.