Find out how popular the first name Gaylen has been for the last 32 years (from 1974 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gaylen by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Gaylen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 75% of people named Gaylen being male.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gaylen.

The history of the first name Gaylen

The name Gaylen has its origins in the Gaelic language, which was spoken in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "geal," which means "bright" or "fair," and the suffix "-an," which is a diminutive form. Together, the name Gaylen can be interpreted as "little bright one" or "little fair one."

While the name Gaylen does not appear to have been mentioned in any major ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been documented in historical records from the British Isles. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where a certain Gaylen mac Éogain is mentioned as a participant in a battle in the year 1260.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gaylen. One of the earliest was Gaylen de Barry (c. 1280-1345), an Anglo-Norman landowner and knight who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence. Another early bearer of the name was Gaylen O'Donnell (c. 1420-1492), an Irish chieftain and lord of Tyrconnell (now County Donegal).

In more recent times, Gaylen Ross (1910-1992) was an American baseball player who spent several seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Chicago White Sox. Gaylen Young (1928-1998) was an American actor and television director, best known for his work on the popular series "Bonanza."

Another notable Gaylen was Gaylen Dill (1923-2017), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the successful pizza chain Pizza Inn. Gaylen Bunker (1935-2005) was an American football player who played defensive back for the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s and was part of their championship teams.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Gaylen, which has its roots in the Gaelic language and culture of the British Isles.

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

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

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