Gail
About Gail
Gail was a mid-twentieth century favorite, which has been far surpassed by its original form, Abigail and nickname Abby. Spelling variations include Gale and Gayle, the latter represented by TV journalist and Oprah bestie Gayle King. Gail was most popular in the 1950s, when it was in the Top 40, and could rise again, possibly as a middle.
Pronounced GAYL.
As of October 2026, Gail ranked #8535 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #36 in 1951, Nameberry popularity #737.
Editor's take: The name Gail is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "my father rejoices".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Gail.
- Darlene
- Suzette
- Fran
- Jeanette
- Paulette
- Johannah
- Margie
- Midge
- Rhonda
- Doutzen
- Georgeanna
- Jeanine
- Lizzy
- Laurie
- Dodie
- Janey
- Trudy
- Glynn
- Chadwick
- Cathy
Gail on lists
Famous Gails
- Gail Simmons
Canadian TV chef
- (Yolanda) Gail Devers
Olympic gold medalist in track and field
- Gail Carson Levine
American fantasy novelist
- Gail Kim
Canadian professional wrestler
- Betty Gale "Gail" Russell
American actress
- Gabriella Joyce "Gail" Kobe
American actress
- Gail Godwin
American novelist
- Gail Simone
American comic book writer
- Gail Sheehy
American author, journalist, and lecturer.
- Savannah Gail Worley
daughter of singer Darryl Worley & Kimberly Perkins
Gail in pop culture
- Gail McIntyre
character on British soap "Coronation Street"
- Gail Peck
character on TV's "Rookie Blue"
- Gail Emory
character on TV's "American Gothic"
- Gail
character in graphic novel/film "Sin City"
Variations & nicknames
- GaelleFrench