Declining since 2005, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Gabe since 1880
Babies named Gabe per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gabe's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 59 |
| 1890s | 54 |
| 1900s | 38 |
| 1910s | 117 |
| 1920s | 125 |
| 1930s | 127 |
| 1940s | 119 |
| 1950s | 179 |
| 1960s | 240 |
| 1970s | 466 |
| 1980s | 167 |
| 1990s | 320 |
| 2000s | 1,102 |
| 2010s | 783 |
| 2020s | 214 |
Meaning & origin
Gabe has been in use as a given name since 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data. Its rank of 4,539 in 2025 reflects a long-term decline in usage, peaking in 1880 and falling since 2005. While never a top-ranked name, Gabe remains a familiar short form of Gabriel, a name with deep biblical roots. Its rarity today, about 1 in 77,640 boys, gives it a distinctive feel. The name has not been associated with any particular state, as its usage is spread across the country.
Gabe is a short form of Gabriel, derived from the Hebrew name גַבְרִיאֵל (Gavri'el) meaning 'God is my strength'. Gabriel is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The shortened form Gabe has been used as an independent given name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, since the 19th century.
Sibling names for Gabe
Names that share Gabe's style, for a brother or sister.
