Faisal

Faisal is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It derives from the root f-s-l, meaning to judge or decide, and the form Faisal conveys “decisive” or “one who separates.” The name is widely used across the Arab world and in Muslim-majority countries, with transliterations such as Faisal, Faysal, or Faisel.

Historical figures bearing the name include Faisal I (1883–1933), who became King of the Arab Kingdom of Syria in 1920 and later ruled Iraq from 1921 until his death in 1933. Faisal II (1935–1958) was the last king of Iraq, reigning from 1953 until the 1958 coup. Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1906–1975) reigned as King of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975 and is noted for modernization efforts and for aligning Saudi policy with global events, including the 1973 oil embargo.

The name also appears in geography and institutions named in honor of royal figures. Faisalabad, Pakistan, formerly Lyallpur, was renamed in 1979 to honor King Faisal of Saudi Arabia after his country’s aid, and the city remains a major industrial center. The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, completed in the 1980s, was funded by Saudi Arabia and named for the same king, serving as a prominent national landmark.

In contemporary use, Faisal remains a common given name in the Middle East, South Asia, and among diaspora communities, reflecting cultural and historical ties across the region.