Girl · 172nd of 12,526
Gayle
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
66,309
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1951
Peak Popularity Year
2,929
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gayle stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Gayle has its roots in Old English, meaning joyful or cheerful. It evolved from historical forms like Gael and Gail. The name is associated with positive traits and lacks biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the mid-20th century, and today it is seen as a classic name with a warm image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ɡeɪl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Gayle is derived from the Old English word 'gael', which means 'joyful' or 'cheerful'. It is also considered a variant of the name Abigail, which has Hebrew origins.
Meaning
joyful, cheerful
Language Evolution
Gael, Gail, Gayle
Historical Usage
The name Gayle became popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s.
Variants & Derivatives
Gail, Gale, Gailene
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gayle is perceived as a classic yet somewhat vintage name, often associated with warmth and friendliness.
Famous People
Gayle King - American television personality and journalist, Gayle Forman - American author, Gayle Hunnicutt - American actress
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
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,929 peak births in 1951
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
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 | 908th of 7545 | 906 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 534th of 6773 | 2,267 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 848th of 7552 | 1,473 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2468th of 10718 | 247 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8930th of 16616 | 44 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 761st of 9107 | 1,626 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 255th of 9204 | 12,688 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 172nd of 12526 | 38,918 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 487th of 19264 | 6,550 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1768th of 27321 | 1,202 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7832nd of 35406 | 226 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 13512th of 30306 | 69 |