Gail
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Joyful; Father’s Joy
Background: The name Gail originates from the English word 'gale,' meaning 'a joyful person.' It is also derived from the Hebrew name Abigail, which translates to 'Father’s joy.'
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#200
Total births
210,681
Most popular decade
1950s
(260,775 births)
10-year trend
↑ Rising (+1,870 ranks)
Years in Top 100
25
First recorded year
1881
Gender usage
4.2% male
95.8% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1882
- First year births
- 7
- First year rank
- #754
- Peak year
- 1942
- Peak year births
- 227
- Peak rank
- #404
- Most recent year
- 1989
- Recent year births
- 6
- Recent rank
- #6,940
Female
- First year
- 1881
- First year births
- 5
- First year rank
- #830
- Peak year
- 1951
- Peak year births
- 9,886
- Peak rank
- #36
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 17
- Recent rank
- #6,613
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).