Randal is a male given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements 'rand' meaning 'shield' and 'wulf' meaning 'wolf'. It was popular among early medieval Germanic peoples, signifying strength and courage. Over time, it has evolved into various spelling variations, including Randall, Randell, and even Randal with an 'a'. In English-speaking countries, the name's peak popularity occurred in the mid-20th century, but it remains a enduring choice for parents today.
The name Randal had a significant spike in popularity around 1986-1987 with 37 and 24 births respectively, but it has since declined steadily with no more than 8 births per year from 1989 onwards.