Declining since 1985, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Gail since 1881
Babies named Gail per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 101 |
| 1890s | 287 |
| 1900s | 291 |
| 1910s | 1,216 |
| 1920s | 1,746 |
| 1930s | 15,854 |
| 1940s | 53,140 |
| 1950s | 85,618 |
| 1960s | 32,877 |
| 1970s | 7,138 |
| 1980s | 2,171 |
| 1990s | 752 |
| 2000s | 284 |
| 2010s | 169 |
| 2020s | 102 |
Meaning & origin
Gail enjoyed its greatest popularity in the mid-20th century, reaching its peak in 1951 when it ranked among the top girl names. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, and by 2025 it ranked 8,362, with only about 1 in 133,939 newborns receiving the name. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1881, and it saw a notable surge during the 1950s. Despite its fading popularity, Gail retains a classic mid-century charm, often chosen for its simplicity and straightforward pronunciation.
Gail emerged in the 20th century as a short form of Abigail (from Hebrew 'avigayil, meaning 'my father is joy') and also as a variant of the surname-derived name Gale. It became popular as an independent given name in the mid-20th century, especially in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Where Gail is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Gale
Sibling names for Gail
Names that share Gail's style, for a brother or sister.
