Find out how popular the first name Gay has been for the last 9 years (from 1974 to 1982) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gay by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Gay is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 95% of people named Gay being female.

For the most recent data in 1982, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gay.

The history of the first name Gay

The given name Gay originated from the Old French word "gai," which means "joyful" or "cheerful." This name can be traced back to the late 12th century and was commonly used in France during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gay appears in the 13th-century French epic poem "La Chanson de Roland," where it was used as a surname for a character named Guenes. The name gained popularity in Europe during the Renaissance period and was often associated with a jovial and lively personality.

In the 16th century, the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare used the name Gay in his works, such as in the play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," where one of the characters is named Sir Eglamour. This helped to further popularize the name in English-speaking regions.

Notable individuals who bore the name Gay throughout history include:

1. John Gay (1685-1732), an English poet and dramatist best known for his work "The Beggar's Opera."
2. Gay Talese (born 1932), an American writer and journalist renowned for his pioneering work in the New Journalism movement.
3. Gay Byrne (1934-2019), an Irish broadcaster and television presenter who hosted "The Late Late Show" for over 35 years.
4. Gay Hendricks (born 1938), an American writer and psychologist known for his work on personal growth and relationships.
5. Gay Wilkinson (born 1938), an American fashion designer and entrepreneur who co-founded the clothing brand Williwear.

While the name Gay was once associated with joyfulness and merriment, its usage as a first name has declined in recent times due to the modern connotation of the word "gay" referring to homosexuality. However, its historical roots and significance remain an interesting part of onomastic studies and cultural heritage.

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

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

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