Skip to main content
 
Namesake

A name chosen, not stumbled upon.

Explore
  • All Names
  • Celtic Names
  • Norse Names
  • Rising Names
  • Gender-Neutral Names
More lists
  • Name Collections
  • Hebrew & Biblical
  • Nature Names
  • Literary Names
  • Rare & Beautiful
  • Classic Names
Guides
  • How to Choose a Name
  • Baby Name Checklist
  • Partner Disagreement
  • Popularity Data
  • Pronunciation Test

Made with love for growing families.

PrivacyTermsContactOur storyHow it works

© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Gale — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Galdino|Galen
Celtic◈ Unisex · 52% boy · 48% girl↓ Fading

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Gale

◈

GAYL · 1 syllables

Share Gale:
Compare with another name
Boy
#6562
↓ Fading
Boy
#6562
Popularity score: 11
↓ Fading
Peak
#6026 in 2023
5yr
-536 ranks
Velocity
-536
Birth frequency
3.6 per 1,000,000 births
Girl

Outside top 1000

Last ranked #15972 in 2023

Peak: #15972 in 2023

→ Stable
5yr
—
Velocity
—
Birth frequency
1.4 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #6562 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Celtic boy names
Gale

Popularity score: 11  ·  SSA Rank: #6562

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20172023

Rank #15972 · Rising since 2017

This name is given to very few babies each year — it sits outside the range shown in these charts.

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
40
Higher than 40% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-536 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
14 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Gale scores lower overall — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
32
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
CelticIrishNatureUnisex1-syllableShortModernRareCoolWindswept
Character
outsider perspective
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Gales

resilientartisticindependentintrospectivesoulful
STRONG
High confidence

Gale is a Celtic unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #6562 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -536 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#6562 · very rare
Gale at a Glance
Meaning:Derived from the Gaelic word for 'stranger' or 'foreigner,' historically used for those outside one's clan or community.
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#6026 in 2023
5yr change:-536 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #6562 · Girl #—
Notable bearers
Gale Sayers
NFL running back, Hall of Famer
Gale Gordon
American actor and comedian
Gale Garnett
Canadian-American folk singer
Gale Anne Hurd
Film and television producer
Similar Sound
Gael◈GayleGailGale◈Vail◈Hale
Similar Style
Soren◈Caspian◈LeifRowan◈Stellan◈
Works well with
Wren◈HazelIvyBeckett◈PhoebeStellan◈Cove◈Vale◈
You Might Also Like
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Caspian◈
Persian · #578
↑ Rising
Leif
Norse · #925
↓ Declining
Rowan◈
Celtic · #71
→ Stable
Stellan◈
Scandinavian · #1441
↑ Rising
Ethan
Celtic · #19
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Gale · Overview
Summary

Gale is a Celtic unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #6562 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 2/100 → Stable

Strengths
Works for any sex
52% boy · 48% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature character
Gale carries a cool, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 536 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
gale.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
Namesake
Name WizardName CollectionsAll NamesName CascadeBaby ShowerMy Name List

Still deciding?

Every naming product helps you find names. Namesake is the only one built to help you choose one.

Score what matters to you. Run names head-to-head. Arrive at the one name you can both explain and defend.

Start the Name Wizard →