Lal is derived from the Indo-Iranian

Indo-Iranian languages

The Indo-Iranian language group constitutes the easternmost extant branch of the Indo-European family of languages. It consists of three language groups: the Indo-Aryan, Iranian and Nuristani...

 word meaning 'Red

Red

Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...

'. It is a middle name

Middle name

People's names in several cultures include one or more additional names placed between the first given name and the surname. In Canada and the United States all such names are specifically referred to as middle name; in most European countries they would simply be regarded as second, third, etc....

 used by many Indo-Aryan clans. Lal is also used as a final element of a compound personal name, such as Amir lal (Amir being the first name), Dost Lal (dost meaning "friend"), Rani Lal (rani meaning "queen") and Padshah Lal Qamar. It is a common name in India and other South Asian countries.

Etymology

Lal or Lalyan in some parts of India probably is used as Lalyan.Lal means "a

A

A is the first letter and a vowel in the basic modern Latin alphabet. It is similar to the Ancient Greek letter Alpha, from which it derives.- Origins :...

" or "ruby" in a, "ruby" in Pashto, and "a" in Hindustani

Hindustani language

Hindi-Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language and the lingua franca of North India and Pakistan. It is also known as Hindustani , and historically, as Hindavi or Rekhta...

 and Yan refers to "Gracious".
It has also quite recently become a term for an awkward moment, for example, should I be laughing at that person who just fell, or in fact help?...lal!?!Swaying hand motion must be used with the lal, otherwise the lal is not valid.

History

There is an homonymous word of Lal in Hindi, from Persian meaning ‘Ruby’, ‘Red’, which may have increased the popularity of this name. It occurs more commonly as the final element of a compound personal name. Lal is used as a middle name by many communities .