How Many People Are Named Gail?
Complete statistics for the name Gail: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Gail is a classic name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'my father rejoices,' and it's held its own through the decades with around 148,519 people still carrying it in the US today. It's on the rarer side now, showing up just 1 in 2,222 Americans, but there was a time when it was everywhere. At its peak in 1951, over 10,000 babies were named Gail in a single year.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 2 is traditionally associated with harmony, cooperation, and a deep sensitivity to others. People connected to the number 2 are seen as natural peacemakers who thrive through partnership and genuine emotional connection.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 74All 210,681 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1951Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Gail Through the Generations
Gail had a real moment in mid-century America. It spent 17 years in the US top 10, and that 1951 peak of 10,066 births tells you just how popular it was with the post-war generation of parents. All-time US births come in at 210,681, and roughly 148,519 of those people are still alive today, which is actually a strong survival ratio for a name this old. The age story is striking: 91% of living Gails are over 60, and the average age sits at 74. Only 699 Gails in the country are under 30. That's not a coincidence, it's a generational fingerprint. Parents simply stopped reaching for this name, and the trend has been declining ever since. Gail isn't gone, but it belongs almost entirely to one generation now.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Gail
Gail is a masculine and feminine given name. As a feminine name, it can be a short form of the name Abigail.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Gail's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Gail
How Many People Have the Name Gail?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,051 people in the United States currently share the name Gail. That works out to roughly 1 in every 315,366 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Gail a Common or Rare Name?
Gail is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Gail Mean?
Gail means "my father rejoices" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 2.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Gail in SSA data, approximately 2% are male and 98% are female.
When Was Gail Most Popular?
The name Gail reached peak popularity in 1951, with 10,066 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Gail?
Approximately 1,051 people named Gail live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,051. That works out to roughly 1 in 315,366 Americans.
Is Gail a rare name?
Gail is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 315,366 Americans has this name.
What does the name Gail mean?
Gail means "my father rejoices" and comes from Hebrew origins.
Is Gail more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 2% of people named Gail are male and 98% are female.
When was Gail most popular?
Gail peaked in 1951 with 10,066 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.