Gaynell: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	10	–	10	1	–	#1,176
1890s	61	–	61	6	+510%	#806
1900s	105	–	105	11	+72%	#892
1910s	369	–	369	37	+251%	#837
1920s	511	–	511	51	+38%	#920
1930s	754	18	772	77	+51%	#711
1940s	886	–	886	89	+15%	#727
1950s	896	–	896	90	+1%	#850
1960s	452	–	452	45	-50%	#1,307
1970s	162	–	162	16	-64%	#2,500
1980s	34	–	34	3	-79%	#7,979
1990s	11	–	11	1	-68%	#11,872
2000s	–	–	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–	–	–

Decade

Girls

Boys

Total

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#1,176

1890s

–

+510%

#806

1900s

105

–

105

+72%

#892

1910s

369

–

369

+251%

#837

1920s

511

–

511

+38%

#920

1930s

754

772

+51%

#711

1940s

886

–

886

+15%

#727

1950s

896

–

896

+1%

#850

1960s

452

–

452

-50%

#1,307

1970s

162

–

162

-64%

#2,500

1980s

–

-79%

#7,979

1990s

–

-68%

#11,872

2000s

–

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Gaynell

Gaynell 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 1886, 4,269 American babies have been named Gaynell. Its peak came in 1952, when 117 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 Gaynell stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Gaynell?

The median living Gaynell is about 72 years old; half are between 64 and 80. An estimated 2,200 people named Gaynell are alive in the United States today.

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

Gaynell 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	6	#11,872	–	–
1985	–	–	–	–
1980	–	–	–	–
1975	12	#4,955	–	–
1970	19	#3,344	–	–
1965	30	#2,168	–	–
1960	66	#1,357	–	–
1955	73	#1,169	–	–
1950	83	#1,001	–	–
1945	68	#919	–	–
1940	92	#727	–	–
1935	81	#753	–	–
1930	52	#1,024	–	–
1925	48	#1,109	–	–
1920	48	#1,078	–	–
1915	50	#939	–	–
1910	11	#1,460	–	–
1905	9	#1,346	–	–
1900	11	#1,192	–	–
1895	9	#1,157	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Gaynell?

The median living Gaynell is about 72 years old. Half of all living Gaynells are between 64 and 80 years old.

How many people named Gaynell are alive today?

An estimated 2,200 people named Gaynell are alive in the United States, based on 4,269 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Gaynell in 2025?

Gaynell 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 Gaynell?

4,269 babies have been named Gaynell in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gaynell most popular?

Gaynell peaked in 1952, when 117 newborns received the name.

Is Gaynell a boy or girl name?

Gaynell is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gaynell rising or falling?

Gaynell has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Gaynell

Gaynell popularity over time

The story of Gaynell

How old are people named Gaynell?

Gaynell year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Gaynell