Al is a short form of several names, most notably Albert and Alexander. It originates from the Germanic element 'Adal', meaning 'noble'. The name has been used independently for many centuries, often as an affectionate nickname or a standalone given name. Today, Al continues to be a popular choice among parents due to its simplicity and versatility.
"Al appears to have been a somewhat popular name around the early-mid 20th century, with fluctuations in popularity over time. The highest number of births recorded was 11 in 1933, while some years had as few as 5 births."