Fadl

Fadl is a male given name and, in some cases, a surname of Arabic origin. It derives from the Arabic root ف-ض-ل (f-ḍ-l), which conveys meanings of grace, bounty, favor, and generosity. The name is widely used in Arabic-speaking countries and across Muslim communities in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It is commonly transliterated in several ways, including Fadl, Fadhl, Fadel, and Fadel, reflecting variations in pronunciation and spelling across languages and regions.

In religious and literary contexts, al-Fadl (the Bounty) is a noun meaning bounty or grace and appears in phrases such as Fadl Allah, meaning the grace of God. Theophoric names built from Abdul-Fadl (Abd al-Fadl) mean “servant of the Bounty,” and similar formations are found in Muslim naming practices.

As a surname, Fadl appears in various countries and may be rendered as al-Fadl, Fadl, or Fadhl, depending on regional orthography and pronunciation. It can also be a component of longer given names or kunyas in Arabic naming traditions.

There is no single historical figure universally identified with the name Fadl; rather, it has been used by many individuals across different periods and regions, including scholars, officials, and ordinary citizens in the Arab world and beyond. The name remains common in contemporary Muslim communities and continues to appear in diverse cultural contexts.