Holding steady.
Popularity of Gayl since 1917
Babies named Gayl per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 76 |
| 1940s | 161 |
| 1950s | 225 |
| 1960s | 102 |
| 1970s | 33 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gayl is a rare given name for girls in the United States, first recorded in 1917. It saw its highest usage in 1952, its peak year, but has since become extremely uncommon. The name never placed in the top 1000 on a nationwide level, reflecting its limited popularity. Gayl is a variant of Gail, which itself emerged in the early 20th century as a short form of Abigail or as a surname-derived name. The trajectory of Gayl has been stable, with no significant revival in recent decades. It is not associated with any particular state, as top states data is unavailable. Today, Gayl remains a rare choice, often perceived as a mid-20th-century name.
Gayl appears to be a modern English spelling variant of Gail or Gayle. Gail emerged as a standalone name in the early 20th century, likely as a short form of Abigail, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'my father is joy.' It may also derive from the English surname Gayle, which itself could have multiple origins including a place name or a nickname meaning 'cheerful.' The name Gayl gained modest use in the United States in the mid-20th century, reaching its peak popularity in 1952.
Sibling names for Gayl
Names that share Gayl's style, for a brother or sister.
