Gayl
Every Gayl since 1917 — 622 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.