Gay
Complete Name Analysis & Etymology Guide
19,367 Total Births
145 Years of Data
1959 Peak Popularity Year
692 Peak Births

Gay Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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Summary

The name Gay originates from Old French, meaning joyful or happy. It has evolved through historical forms such as Gaius and Gai. The name is associated with cheerful traits and has seen varied usage throughout history. It does not have significant biblical relevance.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gay"

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Pronunciation

/ɡeɪ/

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Origin

Old French

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Etymology

The name Gay derives from the Old French word 'gai' meaning 'joyful' or 'happy'. It has roots in the Latin word 'gaius', which also pertains to being cheerful.

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Meaning

joyful, happy

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Language Evolution

Gaius, Gai, Gay

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Historical Usage

The name Gay was used as a given name in the Middle Ages and saw a resurgence in the 19th century. It was originally more commonly used for males before becoming more gender-neutral.

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Variants & Derivatives

Gaye, Gai, Gaius

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Modern Popularity & Image

In contemporary society, the name Gay has gained a different connotation, often associated with LGBTQ+ identity, which has changed its perception from a simple name to a cultural identifier.

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Famous People

Gay Talese, American author and journalist, Gayle King, American television personality and journalist

📊 Gay Name Trend Analysis

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Boy Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Stable
25-Year Trend: Relatively Stable
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Girl Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Stable
25-Year Trend: Relatively Stable

Explore More Gay Name Visualizations

✨ Gay Name Meaning & Significance

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Popularity Trend

Moderately Popular name with 692 peak births in 1959

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Geographic Spread

Popular across 46 US states, with strongest presence in Utah

Historical Span

Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends

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Generational Impact

Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity

🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Gay" - Complete Guide (1 Names)

Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Gay". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 1 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.

Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Gay" that fits your preferences.

Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gay"

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 of "Gay"

"Gay" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Boy 1522nd of 7545 378
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Boy 1275th of 6773 530
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Boy 1821st of 7552 352
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Boy 5344th of 10718 57
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Girl 885th of 9107 1,188
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Girl 404th of 9204 5,134
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Girl 402nd of 12526 10,039
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Girl 1281st of 19264 1,399
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Girl 25632nd of 27321 6

Regional Popularity of "Gay" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - 72.10%
1706th/2366
-
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
- - 64.56%
1519th/2353
73.11%
1131st/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
63.27%
1409th/2227
67.94%
1651st/2430
- -
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
- - - -
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
- - - -
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

Regional Popularity of "Gay" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
100.00%
1416th/1416
74.62%
1029th/1379
31.45%
744th/2366
85.11%
972nd/1142
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
27.49%
425th/1546
25.58%
398th/1556
16.74%
394th/2353
19.65%
304th/1547
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
16.57%
369th/2227
19.38%
471st/2430
13.25%
378th/2853
13.87%
385th/2775
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
37.56%
1103rd/2937
47.34%
1649th/3483
28.65%
1008th/3518
40.90%
1654th/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
- - - -
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

State-by-State Popularity of "Gay"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Gay" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.

Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Gay" in the United States

The name Gay is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gay has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gay' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1522nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1275th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1821st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5344th out of 10718 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 885th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 404th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 402nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1281st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 25632nd out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Gay' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Infographic: Gay name meaning, origin, and popularity trends in the United States (US baby name analysis chart)
[600x500px image] Etymology and historical popularity of Gay,