The given name Gayle has its origins in the Norman French language. It is derived from the French word "gai", meaning "joyful" or "cheerful". The name was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French words and names became integrated into the English language.

Historically, the name Gayle was predominantly used as a masculine name, although it later became popular as a feminine name as well. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gayle can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of English lands conducted by order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Gale" in this document.

In medieval times, the name Gayle was associated with a cheerful and joyful disposition. It was often given to children in the hope that they would embody these positive qualities. During the Renaissance period, the name gained popularity across Europe, particularly in France and England.

One notable historical figure with the name Gayle was Gayle Burt (1492-1553), an English composer and musician who served as the Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal during the reign of Henry VIII. Another famous Gayle was Gayle Honey (1558-1628), an English playwright and poet who was a contemporary of William Shakespeare.

In the 19th century, the name Gayle gained popularity as a feminine name, particularly in the United States. One of the earliest recorded instances of a woman named Gayle was Gayle Calvert (1822-1898), an American educator and activist who founded several schools for African American children in the post-Civil War era.

Other notable individuals with the name Gayle include Gayle Hunnicutt (1943-2004), an American actress best known for her roles in television shows like "The Rookies" and "Dallas". Gayle King (born 1954) is an American television personality and co-host of the CBS morning show "CBS Mornings".

Gayle Sayers (born 1943) is a former American football player who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He played for the Chicago Bears and is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.