Is Randal a boy's or girl's name?

Randal is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 132 recorded births.

When was Randal most popular?

Randal reached its peak popularity in 1958 with 1,477 births that year. It is currently ranked #5587 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Randal?

Randal is currently ranked #5587 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 29,174 babies since 1909.

Randal

A Germanic name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanicDeclining Also a pet name

#5587▲ 2041in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Randall.

Randal is a boy's and girl's baby name of Germanic origin, a variant of Randall, from the Old High German Randwulf, composed of rand (shield rim, border) and wulf (wolf), meaning 'wolf-shield' or 'defender with the shield.'

With over 29,000 recorded births, Randal is one of the traditional spelling variants of Randall — a name with genuine Germanic warrior heritage that was widely popular in mid-20th century America. It carries the defensive strength of the shield combined with the fierce loyalty of the wolf — the ideal of a warrior who protects his people.

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Popularity Over Time

Randal was #2068 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5587, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Randal
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	103	#5187	▼
2010s	308	#3681	▼
2000s	533	#2333	▼
1990s	1,317	#1032	▼
1980s	2,419	#573	▼
1970s	3,366	#453	▼
1960s	8,386	#270	▼
1950s	10,367	#230	▲
1940s	1,707	#588	▲
1930s	334	#1227	▲
1920s	208	#1774	▲
1910s	117	#1992	▲
1900s	9	#1068	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(114 years, 1909–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Randal
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	17	#5587	+6 (54.5%)
2023	11	#7628	-14 (-56.0%)
2022	25	#4269	+4 (19.0%)
2021	21	#4738	-8 (-27.6%)
2020	29	#3712	+9 (45.0%)
2019	20	#4924	-11 (-35.5%)
2018	31	#3585	+4 (14.8%)
2017	27	#3956	+3 (12.5%)
2016	24	#4284	-17 (-41.5%)
2015	41	#2902	+11 (36.7%)
2014	30	#3597	+3 (11.1%)
2013	27	#3834	0
2012	27	#3861	-10 (-27.0%)
2011	37	#3095	-7 (-15.9%)
2010	44	#2776	+16 (57.1%)
2009	28	#3803	-19 (-40.4%)
2008	47	#2666	-8 (-14.5%)
2007	55	#2359	-1 (-1.8%)
2006	56	#2273	+15 (36.6%)
2005	41	#2689	-17 (-29.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Randal as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Randal has also been given to 132 girls in the U.S. since 1949.

Unranked

Current rank

132

Total births

1986

Peak year

Compare Randal as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Randal be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Randal is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #5587. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Randal has two lives

Randal, the baby name

#5587boys

29,174 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1909–2024) · Methodology