Find out how popular the first name Gale has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gale by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gale is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 53% of people named Gale being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 15 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Gale.

It's also interesting to see that despite Gale being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Gale.

The history of the first name Gale

The given name Gale has its origins in Old English, emerging around the 5th century. It is derived from the Old English word "galan," which means "to sing or chant." This connection suggests that the name may have been initially associated with poets, singers, or storytellers in Anglo-Saxon communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gale can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive record of landowners and tenants commissioned by William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest of England. In this historical document, the name appears as "Galli," likely a variant spelling of the same name.

In the Middle Ages, the name Gale gained popularity among Christians, perhaps due to its similarity to the Latin word "gaudium," meaning "joy" or "gladness." This association with joy and celebration may have contributed to its widespread use during this period.

One notable historical figure with the name Gale was Gale of King, an English philosopher and theologian who lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He was known for his works on logic and metaphysics, which influenced subsequent generations of scholars.

During the Renaissance, the name Gale continued to be used, albeit less frequently. One notable bearer of the name from this era was Gale of Viterbo, an Italian humanist and scholar who lived in the 15th century and was renowned for his expertise in classical literature and philosophy.

In the 17th century, the English mathematician and astronomer Gale Ingram made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. He was born in 1627 and is remembered for his precise calculations of planetary orbits and his work on improving astronomical instruments.

Another prominent figure with the name Gale was Gale Sayers, an American professional football player who played for the Chicago Bears in the 1960s. Regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

In more recent times, the name Gale has been used less frequently, but it still maintains a connection to its historical roots and associations with music, joy, and intellectual pursuits.

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 Gale was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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