Gale
Gale is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Strong wind, jovial, or cheerful.
Origin and history
Gale is an English name derived either from the Middle English word for a strong wind or as a short form of Abigail or Galen. It was moderately popular in the mid-20th century in the United States but is rarely given to baby girls today. It offers a brisk, nature-inspired or classic unisex appeal.
Popularity in the United States
19,906 babies in the United States have been named Gale since 1880. It ranks #1070 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2096.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.6 %)
- CA (8.9 %)
- PA (7.9 %)
- IL (7.3 %)
- MI (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 16 |
| 1900-1910 | 34 |
| 1910-1920 | 168 |
| 1920-1930 | 331 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,040 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,900 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,479 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,997 |
| 1970-1980 | 650 |
| 1980-1990 | 191 |
| 1990-2000 | 58 |
| 2000-2010 | 13 |
| 2010-2019 | 24 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Famous people named Gale
- Gale Storm: Actress, Singer
- Gale Sondergaard: Actress
Fun facts
- Gale can originate from the vocabulary word for a strong wind, the Middle English word 'gale' meaning merry, or as a diminutive of Abigail.
- While historically used for both boys and girls in the United States, its peak usage occurred during the mid-20th century.