Find out how popular the first name Gael has been for the last 35 years (from 1989 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gael by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Gael is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Gael being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 3,616 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Gael.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 10 baby girls were named Gael in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Gael

The name Gael has its origins in the Celtic languages, particularly Irish and Scottish Gaelic. It is derived from the Old Irish word "Goídel" or "Goidel," which was used to refer to the Gaelic people and their language.

The Gaels were an ancient Celtic group that inhabited Ireland, Scotland, and parts of neighboring regions. The name Gael is closely associated with Irish and Scottish culture, traditions, and history. It was commonly used by the Gaelic people to identify themselves and their language.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gael can be found in the 7th century Irish text "Lebor Gabála Érenn" (The Book of Invasions), which chronicles the mythological and legendary history of Ireland. In this text, the name Gael is used to refer to the descendants of the ancient Irish people.

In the 9th century, the name Gael appears in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where it is used to describe the Gaelic-speaking people of Ireland and Scotland.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gael. One of the earliest recorded figures was Gael Colmáin mac Feradaig (died 726), an Irish king of the Cenél Conaill dynasty. Another notable bearer of the name was Gael Crobderg Ua Conchobair (died 1176), an Irish king of Connacht.

In the 16th century, Gael Óg Ó Ceallaigh (1516-1586) was an Irish scholar and historian who wrote extensively about the Gaelic traditions and history of Ireland.

In the 20th century, Gael Linn (born 1953) was an Irish language activist and founder of the language organization Conradh na Gaeilge, which promoted the use and preservation of the Irish language.

Gael García Bernal (born 1978) is a renowned Mexican actor and filmmaker, best known for his roles in films like "Amores Perros," "Y Tu Mamá También," and "The Motorcycle Diaries."

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Gael, which has its roots in the rich cultural heritage of the Gaelic people and their language.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gael was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gael, please contact us.

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