Gael
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Gael
This cross-cultural name, found in Wales, Brittany, and Spain, is a surprise star in the U.S in recent years, largely thanks to actor Gael Garcia Bernal. Also written as Gaël, it's a popular choice across Spain, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and France, and the US.
Gael for boys#86 US
Given to 3885 boys in the US in a recent year, when it ranked in the Top 100, it's a separate name from Gale (word name) and Gail (diminutive of Abigail), however, it may sometimes be used as an alternative spelling for the latter.
Despite the difference in spelling, the character Gale Hawthorne in the popular book and film series The Hunger Games may also have helped make this a stylish choice for American boys. It surged up the charts following the 2012 release of the first movie instalment, climbing from #410 to #146 in the ranks.
Gael for girls#13778 US
Now that the midcentury sound-alike name Gail for girls is sailing out to sea, Gael is becoming an increasingly popular name for boys -- and could make the gender switch in the opposite direction again.
Pronounced GAYL.
As of October 2026, Gael ranked #86 in US births in 2025 SSA, Nameberry popularity #304.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #213 | 1,809 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #220 | 1,783 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #178 | 2,248 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #178 | 2,239 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #132 | 2,931 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #133 | 2,900 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #112 | 3,262 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #109 | 3,513 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #104 | 3,509 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #99 | 3,628 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #89 | 3,855 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #86 | 3,860 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 40 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Gael.
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Gael on lists
Famous Gaels
- Gael Garcia BernalBoy
Mexican film actor, director
- Gaël Yanno (b. 1961)Boy
French politician representing New Caledonia
- Gaël Monthurel (b. 1966)Boy
French handball player
- Gaël Morel (b. 1972)Boy
French film director
- Gaël Touya (b. 1973)Boy
French fencer
- Gaël Leforestier (b. 1975)Boy
French television host
- Gaël Tallec (b. 1976)Boy
French rugby player
- Gaël Pencreach (b. 1977)Boy
French runner
- Gaël Danic (b. 1981)Boy
French footballer
- Gaël Givet (b. 1981)Boy
French footballer
- Gaël Angoula (b. 1982)Boy
French footballer
- Gaël Germany (b. 1983)Boy
French footballer
- Gaël da Silva (b. 1984)Boy
French gymnast
- Gaël Clichy (b. 1985)Boy
French footballer
- Gaël Monfils (b. 1986)Boy
French tennis player
- Gaël Quérin (b. 1987)Boy
French decathlete
- Gaël N’Lundulu (b. 1992)Boy
French footballer
- Gaël Etock (b. 1993)Boy
Belgian footballer
- Gaël Fickou (b. 1994)Boy
French rugby player
- Gael Margulies (b. 1994)Boy
Israeli footballer
- Gael AndersonGirl
daughter of Jethro Tull leadman Ian Anderson, and wife of English actor Andrew Lincoln
- Lindsay Gael Christian Elaine ArmauGirl
singer in Irish band B*witched
Gael in pop culture
- GaelBoy
character played by guest start Enrique Iglesias on How I Met Your Mother