Find out how popular the first name Gaynell has been for the last 18 years (from 1974 to 1991) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gaynell by gender

Based on the last 18 years of data, Gaynell is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1991, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gaynell.

The history of the first name Gaynell

The name Gaynell has its origins in the English language, emerging in the late 19th century. It is believed to be a combination of the names "Gay" and "Nell," with "Gay" being a derivative of the Old French word "gai," meaning joyful or merry, and "Nell" being a diminutive form of the name "Eleanor."

While the name itself does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its components can be traced back to earlier times. The name "Eleanor" has its roots in the Occitan language and was popularized by the influential Eleanor of Aquitaine, who lived in the 12th century.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Gaynell date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. One notable individual with this name was Gaynell Hawkins Terrill (1924-2021), an American educator and civil rights activist who fought against segregation in Louisiana's public schools.

Another person of historical significance with the name Gaynell was Gaynell Hendricks (1937-1998), an American singer and actress who appeared in various Broadway productions and television shows during the 1960s and 1970s.

In the field of literature, Gaynell Gavin (1932-2003) was an American author and professor who wrote several novels and short stories, including "The Circular Cat" and "This Is the Age of Miracles."

Gaynell Tinker (1913-1995) was an American actress and model who appeared in several films and television shows throughout the mid-20th century, including "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and "The Mod Squad."

Lastly, Gaynell Cronin (1923-2005) was an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1965 to 1979, representing Harris County.

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

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

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