Baby Names US
girls' name ★ peaked 1952

Gayl

Meaning Gayl is a given name and a surname Gender Girl · 2% boys Rank 2025 Below top lists

Gayl is a given name and a surname.

Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Gayl
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1952
43 babies
All-time total
622
#10,469 all-time among girls
First recorded
1917
in Social Security records

Gayl popularity over time

622 babies have been named Gayl since 1917, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.010.010.020.0318801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Girls Boys Total Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – – – –
1890s – – – – – –
1900s – – – – – –
1910s 5 – 5 1 – #4,875
1920s 5 – 5 1 0% #5,089
1930s 76 10 86 9 +1620% #2,233
1940s 161 5 166 17 +93% #1,952
1950s 225 – 225 23 +36% #1,475
1960s 102 – 102 10 -55% #2,995
1970s 33 – 33 3 -68% #6,195
1980s – – – – – –
1990s – – – – – –
2000s – – – – – –
2010s – – – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – – – –

The story of Gayl

Gayl 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 1917, 622 American babies have been named Gayl. Its peak came in 1952, when 43 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

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 Gayl stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Gayl?

The median living Gayl is about 71 years old; half are between 64 and 77. An estimated 400 people named Gayl are alive in the United States today.

median 71 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Gayl year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 – – – –
2024 – – – –
2023 – – – –
2022 – – – –
2021 – – – –
2020 – – – –
2019 – – – –
2018 – – – –
2017 – – – –
2016 – – – –
2015 – – – –
2014 – – – –
2013 – – – –
2012 – – – –
2011 – – – –
2010 – – – –
2009 – – – –
2008 – – – –
2007 – – – –
2006 – – – –
2005 – – – –
2004 – – – –
2003 – – – –
2002 – – – –
2001 – – – –
2000 – – – –
1995 – – – –
1990 – – – –
1985 – – – –
1980 – – – –
1975 6 #8,325 – –
1970 6 #7,360 – –
1965 9 #4,609 – –
1960 11 #3,995 – –
1955 21 #2,426 – –
1950 17 #2,477 – –
1945 19 #1,952 – –
1940 9 #3,050 – –
1935 11 #2,624 – –
1930 – – – –
1925 – – – –
1920 – – – –
1915 – – – –
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Gayl, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Gayl?

The median living Gayl is about 71 years old. Half of all living Gayls are between 64 and 77 years old.

How many people named Gayl are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Gayl are alive in the United States, based on 622 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Gayl mean?

Gayl is a given name and a surname.

How popular is the name Gayl in 2025?

Gayl 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 Gayl?

622 babies have been named Gayl in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gayl most popular?

Gayl peaked in 1952, when 43 newborns received the name.

Is Gayl a boy or girl name?

Gayl is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gayl rising or falling?

Gayl has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Gayl

Names that sound and feel close to Gayl: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Gayl with similar names → More names starting with G →