"God is my reward"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Gamaliel
Does Gamaliel flow with your last name?
A towering biblical name meaning God is my reward
Jewish
Christian
Biblical
American
Spiritual
Traditional
Bold
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Strong
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Meaning & Origin
"recompense of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Gamaliel
Gamaliel is a Hebrew name from gamal (to reward or repay) and El (God), meaning God is my reward or recompense of God. The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), borne by a leader of the tribe of Manasseh and a prince of that tribe. Most famously, Gamaliel was the great Pharisaic rabbi mentioned in the New Testament Acts of the Apostles, where he counseled tolerance toward the early Christians. He is said to have been the teacher of the Apostle Paul.
Gamaliel has remained rare but steady in deeply religious communities, both Jewish and Christian, who value its direct biblical connection to one of the most respected Pharisaic teachers. In the US, the name carries additional associations with President Warren G. Harding, whose middle name was Gamaliel — a reflection of the 19th-century Protestant practice of giving children weighty biblical names.
Rabbi Gamaliel the Elder, called Rabban Gamaliel, is one of the most revered figures in early rabbinic Judaism. In the Talmud he is praised as one whose death heralded the end of glory in Israel. His counsel in Acts 5 to let the early Christians be, for if their movement is from God it cannot be stopped, has been cited for centuries as an example of religious tolerance and wisdom.
Historical Record
Gamaliel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1954.
Over 1,892 babies have been named Gamaliel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gamaliel is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,541 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rabbi Gamaliel the Elder was the teacher of Saint Paul the Apostle, one of the most significant figures in early Christianity
- Warren G. Harding, the 29th US President, bore the full name Warren Gamaliel Harding
Gamaliel in Other Languages
Greek
Γαμαλιήλ
Latin
Gamaliel
Arabic
جَمَالِيل
Hebrew
גַּמְלִיאֵל
Popularity Over Time
#3,541
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gamaliel
W
Warren Gamaliel Harding
Politician
1865
29th President of the United States, who bore the full name Warren Gamaliel Harding
G
Gamaliel the Elder
Religious
Preeminent first-century Pharisaic rabbi, teacher of the Apostle Paul, and counselor of tolerance toward early Christian...
Preeminent first-century Pharisaic rabbi, teacher of the Apostle Paul, and counselor of tolerance toward early Christians
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #3,541
- Total SSA Count
- 32
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian Biblical American
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Gam
Gamal
Mali
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gamaliel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gamaliel
What does the name Gamaliel mean?
"God is my reward" (from Hebrew). "recompense of God" (from Hebrew). Gamaliel is a Hebrew name from gamal (to reward or repay) and El (God), meaning God is my reward or recompense of God. The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), borne by a leader of the tribe of Manasseh and a prince of that tribe. Most famously, Gamaliel was the great Pharisaic rabbi mentioned in the New Testament Acts of the Apostles, where he counseled tolerance toward the early Christians. He is said to have been the teacher of the Apostle Paul.
What is the origin of the name Gamaliel?
Gamaliel has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, Biblical, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is my reward". In Hebrew, it means "recompense of God".
Is Gamaliel a boy or girl name?
Gamaliel is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Gamaliel?
Gamaliel is currently ranked #3541 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gamaliel?
Common nicknames for Gamaliel include Gam, Gamal, and Mali.
What are good middle names for Gamaliel?
Popular middle name pairings include Gamaliel David, Gamaliel Elias, Gamaliel Isaac, Gamaliel Joseph, Gamaliel Tobias, Gamaliel Emmanuel, and Gamaliel Solomon.
What are good sibling names for Gamaliel?
Names that pair well with Gamaliel as siblings include Ezekiel, Matthias, Tobias, Miriam, Deborah, and Rebekah.
How many syllables does Gamaliel have?
Gamaliel has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Gamaliel a common or rare name?
Gamaliel is an uncommon name, ranked #3541 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Gamaliel
Gamaliel is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, Biblical, and American origins . The name means "God is my reward" in Hebrew .
Gamaliel is currently ranked #3,541 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gamaliel has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Gamaliel include Gam, Gamal, and Mali. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis