Gaye Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gaye has its origins in Old French, derived from a word meaning 'joyful' or 'happy.' It evolved from Latin through Old French to modern usage in English. The name is associated with positive traits such as happiness. There is no biblical relevance to the name. Gaye gained popularity in the 20th century, especially as a female name. Variants include Gay and Gai. Today, it carries a vintage connotation and is less frequently used.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gaye"
Pronunciation
/ɡeɪ/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Gaye is derived from the Old French word 'gaie,' meaning 'joyful' or 'happy.' The name has its roots in the Latin word 'gaius,' which also means 'rejoice.'
Meaning
joyful, happy
Language Evolution
Gaius (Latin), Gaie (Old French), Gaye (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Gaye became more common in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly as a given name for women.
Variants & Derivatives
Gay, Gai, Gaye
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Gaye is perceived as somewhat vintage and is less common than it was in previous decades.
Famous People
Gaye Adegbalola, an American blues singer, Marvin Gaye, an influential American singer and songwriter
📊 Gaye Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Gaye Name Visualizations
✨ Gaye Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 268 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 37 US states, with strongest presence in Oklahoma
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Gaye" - Complete Guide (1 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Gaye". 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 "Gaye" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gaye"
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 "Gaye"
"Gaye" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3202nd of 9107 | 146 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 863rd of 9204 | 1,286 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 690th of 12526 | 3,738 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2276th of 19264 | 577 |
Regional Popularity of "Gaye" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| 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 "Gaye" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
52.46% 811th/1546 |
55.66% 866th/1556 |
39.95% 940th/2353 |
47.25% 731st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.71% 617th/2227 |
29.14% 708th/2430 |
25.83% 737th/2853 |
24.68% 685th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
61.18% 1797th/2937 |
74.85% 2607th/3483 |
55.80% 1963rd/3518 |
72.68% 2939th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gaye"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gaye" 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 "Gaye" in the United States
The name Gaye is most popular in Oklahoma, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. 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, Gaye has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gaye' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3202nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 863rd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 690th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2276th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Gaye' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.