Kemal

Kemal is a masculine given name of Turkish origin derived from the Arabic kamāl, meaning perfection, excellence, or completeness. In Turkish, Kemal is used as a standalone given name and can appear in compound forms such as Mustafa Kemal. The form Kamal is common in other languages, while Turkish orthography tends to spell it as Kemal.

In Turkey, the name gained prominence through Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. His given name was Mustafa Kemal; he adopted the surname Atatürk in 1934 under the Surname Law, and he is widely associated with the name Kemal as part of his fuller name. The name Kemal remains popular in Turkish-speaking communities and in regions influenced by Turkish culture, including Azerbaijan and parts of the Balkans. Variants and related names include Kamal, Kamel, and Kamali, reflecting Arabic, Persian, and South Asian usage.

Notable bearers include Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938), the Turkish statesman and founder of modern Turkey; Kemal Sunal (1944–2000), a prominent Turkish actor known for his comedies; and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (born 1948), a Turkish politician who has led the Republican People’s Party. The name has also given rise to the term Kemalism, describing the political and ideological reforms associated with Atatürk.

Overall, Kemal remains a common given name in Turkish-speaking communities and serves as a cultural link to a historical tradition of leadership and reform.