Gao
Every Gao since 1980 — 375 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gao
Gao is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1980, 375 American babies have been named Gao. Its peak came in 1989, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gao stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gao year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 5 | #18,454 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,484 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,216 |
| 2003 | 8 | #11,678 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #16,179 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,228 |
| 1995 | 24 | #4,259 |
| 1990 | 23 | #4,282 |
| 1985 | 15 | #4,920 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,457 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Gao
- Gao Xingjian Writer · b. 1940
- Gao Shun Military personnel · 200–199
- Gao of Xia Politician
- Gao Zhisheng Politician · b. 1964
- Gao Yuanyuan Actor · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Gao in 2025?
Gao did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Gao?
375 babies have been named Gao in the United States since 1980, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gao most popular?
Gao peaked in 1989, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Gao a boy or girl name?
Gao is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gao rising or falling?
Gao has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Gao?
Well-known people named Gao include Gao Xingjian (writer), Gao Shun (military personnel), Gao of Xia (politician).