Gale Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationGAYL / /ɡeɪl/English; Old English
Meaning
English: cheerful; Old English: a storm
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gale has roots in Old English, where it originally referred to a strong wind or storm. In modern usage, it is often associated with a cheerful disposition. The name has been used for both genders, though it is more commonly given to boys. Gale has also been popularized in various cultural contexts, including literature and music.
Trend Summary
The name Gale has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable decline in usage since the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Gail
International Variants
- Gale (Spanish)
- Gail (English)
Famous people named Gale
Gale Sayers was a professional American football player known for his exceptional skills as a running back.
Gale Harold is an American actor recognized for his role in the television series 'Queer as Folk'.
Gale Norton served as the United States Secretary of the Interior from 2001 to 2006.
Gale Anne Hurd is a prominent American film and television producer known for her work on 'The Terminator' and 'The Walking Dead'.
Fictional characters named Gale
Gale Hawthorne is a character in 'The Hunger Games' series, known for his close friendship with Katniss Everdeen.
Gale is a character in the animated film 'The Secret of NIMH', serving as a supporting character in the story.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gale was first seen in the United States in 1883. Gale has ranked as high as #676 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri. In the past 5 years the name Gale has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Gale (1976)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1883 | 5 |
| 1887 | 6 |
| 1888 | 5 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1893 | 11 |
| 1894 | 12 |
| 1895 | 6 |
| 1897 | 13 |
| 1898 | 6 |
| 1900 | 10 |
| 1901 | 11 |
| 1902 | 9 |
| 1903 | 12 |
| 1904 | 6 |
| 1905 | 11 |
| 1907 | 15 |
| 1908 | 19 |
| 1909 | 22 |
| 1910 | 12 |
| 1911 | 22 |
| 1912 | 42 |
| 1913 | 59 |
| 1914 | 89 |
| 1915 | 104 |
| 1916 | 114 |
| 1917 | 123 |
| 1918 | 155 |
| 1919 | 145 |
| 1920 | 176 |
| 1921 | 205 |
| 1922 | 180 |
| 1923 | 232 |
| 1924 | 243 |
| 1925 | 190 |
| 1926 | 192 |
| 1927 | 241 |
| 1928 | 181 |
| 1929 | 168 |
| 1930 | 199 |
| 1931 | 169 |
| 1932 | 224 |
| 1933 | 213 |
| 1934 | 262 |
| 1935 | 244 |
| 1936 | 250 |
| 1937 | 284 |
| 1938 | 292 |
| 1939 | 291 |
| 1940 | 307 |
| 1941 | 287 |
| 1942 | 298 |
| 1943 | 302 |
| 1944 | 283 |
| 1945 | 287 |
| 1946 | 305 |
| 1947 | 377 |
| 1948 | 349 |
| 1949 | 314 |
| 1950 | 333 |
| 1951 | 329 |
| 1952 | 324 |
| 1953 | 263 |
| 1954 | 254 |
| 1955 | 199 |
| 1956 | 193 |
| 1957 | 154 |
| 1958 | 136 |
| 1959 | 110 |
| 1960 | 129 |
| 1961 | 101 |
| 1962 | 94 |
| 1963 | 91 |
| 1964 | 89 |
| 1965 | 81 |
| 1966 | 65 |
| 1967 | 65 |
| 1968 | 54 |
| 1969 | 68 |
| 1970 | 53 |
| 1971 | 63 |
| 1972 | 38 |
| 1973 | 48 |
| 1974 | 48 |
| 1975 | 31 |
| 1976 | 23 |
| 1977 | 20 |
| 1978 | 18 |
| 1979 | 19 |
| 1980 | 19 |
| 1981 | 27 |
| 1982 | 13 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 15 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1993 | 13 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 13 |