Gale Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gale originates from Old English, meaning 'joy' or 'brightness.' It has evolved through historical forms such as Gāla and Gale. The name is associated with positive traits like joy and light. It does not have biblical relevance, and it gained popularity in the 19th century. Variants include Gail and Gaily, and it is viewed as a classic name with a cheerful image.
The name Gale is most popular in Nebraska, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gale has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gale' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 475th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 360th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 508th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1264th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4486th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13418th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8303rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1580th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 510th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 327th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1146th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6194th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 21432nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20672nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Gale' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gale"
Pronunciation
/ɡeɪl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Gale is derived from the Old English word 'geolu,' meaning 'yellow,' which is often associated with brightness or light. It can also be connected to the Old French word 'gale,' meaning 'joy' or 'rejoicing.'
Meaning
joy, brightness, or light
Language Evolution
Old English: Gāla, Middle English: Gale, Modern English: Gale
Historical Usage
The name Gale gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly as a given name in English-speaking countries. It has been used both as a masculine and feminine name.
Variants & Derivatives
Gail, Gaily, Galen
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gale is perceived as a classic name that carries a sense of brightness and cheerfulness. It is less common than it was in previous decades but still maintains a vintage charm.
Famous People
Gale Sayers, American football player, Gale Harold, American actor, Gale Anne Hurd, American film producer
Explore More Gale Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gale"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gale"
"Gale" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 475th of 7545 | 2,629 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 360th of 6773 | 4,541 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 508th of 7552 | 4,144 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1264th of 10718 | 713 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4486th of 16616 | 170 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13418th of 24088 | 43 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8303rd of 23106 | 105 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1580th of 9107 | 458 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 510th of 9204 | 3,452 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 327th of 12526 | 14,040 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1146th of 19264 | 1,670 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6194th of 27321 | 204 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 21432nd of 35406 | 33 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 20672nd of 30306 | 23 |
Regional Popularity of "Gale" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
18.86% 267th/1416 |
50.33% 694th/1379 |
38.21% 904th/2366 |
34.94% 399th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
14.36% 222nd/1546 |
32.84% 511th/1556 |
27.92% 657th/2353 |
18.81% 291st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
13.79% 307th/2227 |
30.29% 736th/2430 |
28.60% 816th/2853 |
16.83% 467th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
29.08% 854th/2937 |
- | - |
38.11% 1541st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gale" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
81.85% 1159th/1416 |
94.27% 1300th/1379 |
- |
100.00% 1142nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
29.43% 455th/1546 |
21.98% 342nd/1556 |
28.56% 672nd/2353 |
30.77% 476th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
13.11% 292nd/2227 |
10.62% 258th/2430 |
13.67% 390th/2853 |
13.44% 373rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
33.40% 981st/2937 |
29.17% 1016th/3483 |
34.34% 1208th/3518 |
36.99% 1496th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
93.65% 4191st/4475 |
- |
100.00% 6317th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gale"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gale" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.