Jaleel

Jaleel is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It derives from the root J-L-L, with meanings such as great, noble, or majestic. In Arabic, Jalil (جليل) is an adjective meaning venerable, and Jaleel is a common transliteration in English, especially in South Asia and North America. The name is used across Muslim communities and by Urdu- and Persian-speaking populations; spelling varies due to transliteration, with Jalil and Jaleel among the common variants. The form Al-Jalil is also known as one of the 99 names of God in Islamic theology, meaning The Majestic; this religious usage is typically distinct from personal naming but reflects cultural association with grandeur.

As a given name, Jaleel is typically male. In some families it may be used as a surname. In the United States, the name gained visibility in the 1990s, in part due to a popular television character.

Notable people: Jaleel White (born 1976), American actor and comedian best known for Steve Urkel on the television series Family Matters.

See also: Jalil, Jalili.