Girl · 58th of 12,526
Gail
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
210,681
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1951
Peak Popularity Year
10,066
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gail 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
Gail is a name of Hebrew origin that means joy or rejoicing. It evolved from the Hebrew name 'Gai' and has seen usage primarily in English-speaking countries. The name is often associated with positive traits such as warmth and friendliness, although it does not have a biblical reference. Gail gained notable popularity in the mid-20th century and remains recognized today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ɡeɪl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Gail is derived from the Hebrew name 'Gai', meaning 'a father’s joy' or 'a joyous song'. It is often considered a feminine form of the name Abigail.
Meaning
joy, rejoicing
Language Evolution
Gai, Gail
Historical Usage
The name Gail gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Gale, Gailie, Gaily
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Gail is viewed as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Gail Godwin, an American author, Gail Collins, an American journalist and author
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
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,066 peak births in 1951
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 486th of 7545 | 2,542 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 431st of 6773 | 3,381 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 668th of 7552 | 2,421 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1742nd of 10718 | 425 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7951st of 16616 | 59 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 558th of 9107 | 2,880 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 115th of 9204 | 42,041 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 58th of 12526 | 135,243 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 253rd of 19264 | 17,987 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1102nd of 27321 | 2,464 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4414th of 35406 | 491 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6821st of 30306 | 208 |