How Many People Are Named Gao?
Complete statistics for the name Gao: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Gao is a name of Chinese origin meaning "tall" or "high," and it's quite rare in the United States. Only about 368 people living in America today carry this name, which means roughly 1 in 897,933 Americans share it. Most bearers are between 30 and 60 years old, with the name peaking at 32 births in 1989.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 traditionally represents freedom, adventure, and adaptability. It's associated with individuals who crave variety and aren't afraid to embrace change in pursuit of personal growth.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 34All 375 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: 1989Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Stable
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Gao Through the Generations
Looking at how Gao has traveled through the generations, it's clear this name found its American foothold in the 1980s and 1990s. The peak year of 1989, with 32 births recorded, likely reflects a wave of Chinese immigration during that era. With 375 total births on record and an estimated 368 people still living with the name today, nearly everyone ever given this name in the US is still around. That's a remarkably young cohort. About 77% of people named Gao fall between ages 30 and 60, while 23% are under 30. Nobody over 60 carries this name in the US, confirming it didn't appear here before the late 1970s at the earliest. The trend has remained stable rather than surging or fading, suggesting a quiet but consistent presence. Globally, Gao ranks #46,491 with 14,952 bearers worldwide, and it's most common outside the US in Singapore. This name sits comfortably between classic and modern, rooted in deep cultural tradition yet relatively new to American soil.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
📄 About the Name Gao
How Many People Have the Name Gao?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 21,908 people in the United States currently share the name Gao. That works out to roughly 1 in every 15,129 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Gao a Common or Rare Name?
Gao is classified as 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 Gao Mean?
Gao means "Tall or high" and comes from Chinese origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Gao in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Gao Most Popular?
The name Gao reached peak popularity in 1989, with 32 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.
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 Gao?
Approximately 21,908 people named Gao live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 21,908. That works out to roughly 1 in 15,129 Americans.
Is Gao a rare name?
Gao is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 15,129 Americans has this name.
What does the name Gao mean?
Gao means "Tall or high" and comes from Chinese origins.
Is Gao more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Gao are male and 100% are female.
When was Gao most popular?
Gao peaked in 1989 with 32 births that year. Current trend: Stable.
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.