Holding steady.
Popularity of Gale since 1883
Babies named Gale per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 16 |
| 1890s | 16 | 53 |
| 1900s | 34 | 115 |
| 1910s | 168 | 865 |
| 1920s | 331 | 2,008 |
| 1930s | 1,040 | 2,428 |
| 1940s | 4,900 | 3,109 |
| 1950s | 9,479 | 2,295 |
| 1960s | 2,997 | 837 |
| 1970s | 650 | 361 |
| 1980s | 191 | 134 |
| 1990s | 58 | 61 |
| 2000s | 13 | 37 |
| 2010s | 24 | 64 |
| 2020s | 5 | 54 |
Meaning & origin
Gale is a unisex name with a hazy origin story that has kept it off the popularity charts in recent decades. Though its peak year dates to 1957, the name has never cracked the top 1000 in the Social Security data, making it a rare choice with no clear trajectory upward or downward. The known history of the name begins in 1893, the first recorded year in the dataset, and it has maintained a stable, if low, level of use ever since. Its ambiguity as either a short form of Abigail or an independent name gives it a quiet flexibility, and its kinship with the more common spelling Gail keeps it recognizable without being common. For parents seeking a simple, short name that works for any gender, Gale offers a modest, unpretentious option.
Gale is a unisex name with multiple possible origins. It may be a feminine variant of Gail, itself a short form of Abigail, or a masculine name derived from the Old English word 'gāl' meaning 'pleasant' or 'joyful'. Another theory connects it to the English vocabulary word for a strong wind, though this is not well supported historically. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century for both sexes, with peak year 1957 in the United States.
Where Gale 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: Gail
Sibling names for Gale
Names that share Gale's style, for a brother or sister.
