girls' name · peaked 1965

Gala

Every Gala since 1919 — 2,186 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1965Girls
Rank 2025
#2,495
among girls
Babies in 2025
71
named Gala
Peak year
1965
99 babies
All-time total
2,186
since 1919

The story of Gala

Gala is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,495 in 2025 with 71 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1919, 2,186 American babies have been named Gala. Its peak came in 1965, when 99 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.

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

Gala year by year

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

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 71 #2,495
2024 82 #2,273
2023 70 #2,528
2022 60 #2,834
2021 46 #3,408
2020 45 #3,417
2019 51 #3,138
2018 39 #3,807
2017 52 #3,108
2016 55 #3,028
2015 47 #3,402
2014 41 #3,738
2013 67 #2,641
2012 65 #2,718
2011 24 #5,613
2010 19 #6,736
2009 16 #7,804
2008 13 #9,143
2007 13 #9,179
2006 11 #10,137
2005 12 #9,079
2004 16 #7,193
2003 8 #11,677
2002 7 #12,663
2001 16 #6,720
2000 8 #11,076
1995 11 #7,695
1990 6 #11,869
1985 10 #6,612
1980
1975 14 #4,420
1970 36 #2,211
1965 99 #1,056
1960 27 #2,263
1955 25 #2,179
1950 16 #2,588
1945 13 #2,512
1940 10 #2,812
1935 9 #3,011
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Gala

  1. Gala Dalí Companion · 1894–1982
  2. Gala Singer · b. 1975

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Gala in 2025?

Gala ranked #2,495 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 71 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Gala?

2,186 babies have been named Gala in the United States since 1919, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gala most popular?

Gala peaked in 1965, when 99 newborns received the name.

Is Gala a boy or girl name?

Gala is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gala rising or falling?

Gala is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Gala?

Well-known people named Gala include Gala Dalí (companion), Gala (singer).

Names like Gala

Compare Gala with similar names →