Boy · 31st of 24,088
Gabriel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
395,945
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2008
Peak Popularity Year
13,187
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gabriel stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Gabriel has Hebrew origins and means 'God is my strength'. It evolved through various languages, including Latin and Old French, and has been a significant biblical name associated with angelic messages. It has maintained popularity across cultures and is perceived positively, often linked to strength and divinity.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡeɪbrɪəl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Gabriel comes from the Hebrew name 'Gavri'el', which means 'God is my strength'. It is derived from the roots 'gever' meaning 'man' or 'strong' and 'El' meaning 'God'.
Meaning
God is my strength
Language Evolution
Gabri'el (Hebrew), Gabriel (Latin), Gabriel (Old French), Gabriel (Middle English)
Biblical Background
Gabriel is a significant figure in the Bible, serving as an angelic messenger. He appears in the Book of Daniel and in the New Testament, where he announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary.
Historical Usage
The name Gabriel gained popularity in the Christian world during the early Middle Ages, particularly due to its biblical association. It has remained a popular name in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Gabe, Gabriele, Gabriella, Gabrielle
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gabriel is viewed as a classic yet modern name, often associated with strength and divinity. It remains popular in many cultures and is favored for its strong biblical ties.
Famous People
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Gabriel Byrne, Gabriel Iglesias, Gabriel Macht
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 13,187 peak births in 2008
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 22 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 416th of 7545 | 3,259 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 422nd of 6773 | 3,480 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 393rd of 7552 | 6,843 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 146th of 10718 | 31,302 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 86th of 16616 | 62,799 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 31st of 24088 | 177,492 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 30th of 23106 | 103,621 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4678th of 9107 | 63 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5907th of 9204 | 33 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4906th of 12526 | 122 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2184th of 19264 | 610 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1056th of 27321 | 2,580 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1206th of 35406 | 3,019 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4219th of 30306 | 412 |