Gazella

Meaning & origin

Gazella is a striking animal name drawn directly from the English word for a gazelle, a swift antelope. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914, and its peak usage came the following year in 1915, a time when nature-inspired and exotic-sounding names enjoyed brief vogues. Although it has never ranked in the top 1000, its one-in-N rate cannot be calculated due to extreme rarity, and it has been given to fewer than five children per year in recent decades. The trajectory of Gazella is stable, meaning it never experienced a major revival after its initial fleeting popularity. Top states for the name are unfortunately not recorded, reinforcing its status as a very obscure choice. Given its direct animal association, Gazella fits alongside other fauna names, but it remains largely a historical footnote rather than a contemporary option.

Gazella is taken directly from the English word for the gazelle, which ultimately comes from Arabic 'ghazal'. The name saw sporadic use in the United States during the early 20th century, likely inspired by the animal's elegant connotations. Its usage peaked in 1915 and has since been very rare, effectively a historical curiosity.