Gayle
Gayle is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Joyful, cheerful, or lively.
Origin and history
Gayle originated as a short form of Abigail or from the Middle English word 'gaile', meaning cheerful or lively. Historically given to both boys and girls in the United States, its usage as a male name peaked in the early-to-mid 20th century. Today, the name is rarely given to newborn boys in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
4,951 babies in the United States have been named Gayle since 1880. It ranks #1734 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- KY (16.9 %)
- TX (14.1 %)
- NE (10.2 %)
- IN (6.3 %)
- MI (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 7 |
| 1900-1910 | 27 |
| 1910-1920 | 336 |
| 1920-1930 | 716 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,340 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,285 |
| 1950-1960 | 790 |
| 1960-1970 | 287 |
| 1970-1980 | 119 |
| 1980-1990 | 44 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Gayle
- Gayle Sayers: Athlete, Football Player
Fun facts
- While Gayle became more popular for females in the mid-20th century, thousands of American boys were also named Gayle during that era.
- It shares roots with the English adjective 'gay', historically meaning lighthearted or joyous.