Iqbal
A Muslim surname and given name meaning “prosperity,” “good fortune,” or “success.”
The #5,970 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 53,564 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Iqbal comes ultimately from Arabic roots associated with fortune, luck, and flourishing. In Urdu and related South Asian naming traditions, it is commonly used as a personal name and later as a hereditary surname. The core sense is “prosperity,” “good luck,” or “advancement.”
History
The name is especially common among Muslim families in South Asia, where it often appears as both a given name and a surname. It is also found in diaspora communities across the UK, North America, and the Gulf states. As a surname, it generally reflects a family connection to a first name rather than an occupational or place-based origin.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Iqbal is famous as the surname of Muhammad Iqbal, the philosopher-poet widely regarded as the spiritual father of Pakistan.