Faisal is a name of Arabic origin, derived from the word 'faysal', which means 'divider' or 'discriminator'. This name is often associated with the Hashemite family, who are the ruling dynasty in Jordan and were previously the ruling family in Iraq.
The most famous bearer of this name was King Faisal I of Iraq (1883-1933), who played a significant role in the political history of the Middle East during the early 20th century. He served as the first king of Iraq from 1921 until his assassination in 1933.
King Faisal was known for his leadership skills and his ability to navigate complex political landscapes. He played a crucial role in establishing modern Iraq after World War I, and he worked towards promoting unity and stability within the country despite its diverse ethnic and religious makeup.
The name Faisal has since become popular among Muslims around the world, with many parents choosing it for their children in hopes of bestowing some of King Faisal's wisdom and leadership qualities upon them. Today, Faisal is considered a strong and respected name that continues to carry the legacy of its historic bearer.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Faisal has seen a varied trend in popularity over the past five decades in the United States.
From 1973 to 1984, the number of births with the name Faisal ranged between 10 and 33 per year. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a steady increase, peaking at 33 births in 1986.
The popularity of the name continued to grow throughout the 1990s, with a significant spike occurring in 1999, when there were 70 births. This was followed by years ranging from 35 to 51 births annually until 2004.
From 2005 onwards, the number of births with the name Faisal fluctuated between 36 and 82 per year, with peaks in 2011 (64 births) and 2014 (82 births). The most recent data from 2023 shows a decrease to 35 births.
In total, over the past five decades, there have been 2061 babies named Faisal born in the United States. This demonstrates that while the name's popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, it has remained a presence in American naming trends during this period.