Gail
Gail is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
My father is joy, or source of joy.
Origin and history
Gail is a short form of Abigail, which derives from Hebrew roots meaning 'my father is joy'. It gained immense popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century as an independent given name. Although its usage for newborns has declined significantly in recent years, it remains a familiar traditional name.
Popularity in the United States
201,746 babies in the United States have been named Gail since 1880. It ranks #200 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1999.
States where it is most popular
- NY (13.4 %)
- CA (7.2 %)
- PA (6.6 %)
- IL (6.4 %)
- MA (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 101 |
| 1890-1900 | 287 |
| 1900-1910 | 291 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,216 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,746 |
| 1930-1940 | 15,854 |
| 1940-1950 | 53,140 |
| 1950-1960 | 85,618 |
| 1960-1970 | 32,877 |
| 1970-1980 | 7,138 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,171 |
| 1990-2000 | 752 |
| 2000-2010 | 284 |
| 2010-2019 | 169 |
| 2020-2029 | 102 |
Famous people named Gail
- Gail Devers: Athlete, Olympic Medalist
- Gail Gail Carson Levine: Author
- Gail O'Grady: Actress
Fun facts
- Gail ranked among the top 50 most popular names for American girls during the 1940s and 1950s.
- Originally a nickname for Abigail, Gail successfully transitioned into an independent legal given name in the 20th century.