Gay Unisex
Origin(s)
Pronunciationgay / /ɡeɪ/English; Old French
Meaning
English: joyful; Old French: gay, cheerful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gay has roots in both English and Old French, where it originally denoted a sense of joyfulness or cheerfulness. It was more commonly used as a given name in the early to mid-20th century. Over time, its usage has declined, and it is now considered somewhat dated. The name has also been associated with various cultural shifts, particularly in the context of its modern connotations.
Trend Summary
The name Gay has seen a significant decline in popularity in recent decades.
Similar Names
Variants
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International Variants
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Famous people named Gay
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Fictional characters named Gay
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gay was first seen in the United States in 1883. Gay has ranked as high as #848 nationally, which occurred in 1941, and has been most popular in West Virginia, Texas, California, Michigan, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Gay has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Gay (1951)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1883 | 5 |
| 1886 | 6 |
| 1888 | 8 |
| 1890 | 8 |
| 1891 | 6 |
| 1892 | 6 |
| 1894 | 7 |
| 1896 | 7 |
| 1897 | 5 |
| 1899 | 7 |
| 1903 | 6 |
| 1906 | 5 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1910 | 9 |
| 1911 | 6 |
| 1912 | 13 |
| 1913 | 15 |
| 1914 | 15 |
| 1915 | 22 |
| 1916 | 25 |
| 1917 | 27 |
| 1918 | 15 |
| 1919 | 17 |
| 1920 | 27 |
| 1921 | 25 |
| 1922 | 19 |
| 1923 | 17 |
| 1924 | 29 |
| 1925 | 30 |
| 1926 | 23 |
| 1927 | 28 |
| 1928 | 30 |
| 1929 | 30 |
| 1930 | 35 |
| 1931 | 27 |
| 1932 | 29 |
| 1933 | 26 |
| 1934 | 28 |
| 1935 | 32 |
| 1936 | 31 |
| 1937 | 27 |
| 1938 | 30 |
| 1939 | 35 |
| 1940 | 19 |
| 1941 | 42 |
| 1942 | 28 |
| 1943 | 24 |
| 1944 | 26 |
| 1945 | 31 |
| 1946 | 19 |
| 1947 | 25 |
| 1948 | 39 |
| 1949 | 23 |
| 1950 | 24 |
| 1951 | 35 |
| 1952 | 19 |
| 1953 | 26 |
| 1954 | 25 |
| 1955 | 14 |
| 1956 | 26 |
| 1957 | 13 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1959 | 10 |
| 1960 | 12 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1963 | 8 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1966 | 9 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1970 | 7 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1974 | 6 |