Find out how popular the first name Vail has been for the last 33 years (from 1991 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Vail by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Vail is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 86% of people named Vail being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Vail.

The history of the first name Vail

The given name Vail is an English name of Old French origin, derived from the word "val" or "vale," meaning "valley." Its historical roots can be traced back to the late 12th century, particularly in regions of France and England, where it was used as a topographical surname for people living near valleys or low-lying areas.

During the Middle Ages, the name Vail was not widely recorded as a first name. However, it appeared sporadically in medieval records and literature, often as a surname or place name. One of the earliest documented instances of the name Vail was in the 13th century, when a family bearing the surname "de Vall" was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, England.

The name gained more prominence in the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly among English Puritans who favored biblical and nature-inspired names. It was during this period that Vail began to be used more frequently as a first name, possibly influenced by its association with the biblical "valley of the shadow of death" from Psalm 23.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the first name Vail was Vail Wetherly, an English Puritan who lived in the late 16th century and was known for his religious writings. Another notable bearer of the name was Vail Bibbins, a 17th-century English colonist who settled in Virginia in the 1630s.

In the 18th century, the name Vail was particularly popular among Quakers and Puritans in the American colonies. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Vail Hobart (1721-1805), a prominent Quaker leader and abolitionist from Pennsylvania.

As the centuries progressed, the name Vail continued to be used, although it remained relatively uncommon. Notable individuals with this first name include Vail Bauserman (1888-1964), an American politician and lawyer from West Virginia, and Vail Pittman (1917-1997), a renowned American aviation pioneer and test pilot.

Despite its rarity, the name Vail has left a lasting impression in various fields, from politics and literature to aviation and religion. Its unique origins and connection to the natural world have undoubtedly contributed to its enduring appeal throughout history.

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

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

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