Gail
Gail is derived from the Hebrew name Abigail, meaning 'father's joy' or 'source of joy.' It became popular as an independent name in the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Current Popularity
#8535 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Simple to spell and pronounce with no ambiguity
- •Peak popularity was in the 1950s-1960s, giving it a retro charm
- •Can also be spelled 'Gayle' for variety
- •Short and complete - doesn't require a nickname
Similar Names
Famous People
Gail Devers
Olympic gold medalist sprinter and hurdler
Gail Simone
Comic book writer known for Birds of Prey
Gail Collins
Journalist and New York Times columnist
Gail Kim
Professional wrestler and actress
Statistics
201,746
Total births since 1880
1951
Peak year
Discovery
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