Gayle is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It was created as a feminine form of the masculine name Gale, which means "storm" or "situation" in Middle English. The name Gayle has been popular among parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their daughters.
The earliest known use of the name Gayle is in the 19th century, but it was not until the mid-20th century that it gained significant popularity. In the United States, Gayle reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, with its highest ranking being the 483rd most popular name for girls in 1967.
Despite its American origins, the name Gayle has also gained some recognition internationally. In Australia, for example, it was among the top 500 names for girls during the 1950s and 1960s.
Some notable individuals with the name Gayle include American actress Gayle King, who is best known as the host of her own television program on CBS, and British singer-songwriter Gayle Adair, who gained popularity in the late 1980s with hits such as "Just Want to Hold You" and "Too Close".
Overall, Gayle is a name that stands out due to its unique spelling and sound. While it may not be as commonly used today as it was several decades ago, it remains a memorable and meaningful choice for parents looking for something distinctive for their baby girl.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Gayle has seen a significant shift in its popularity over the years in the United States.
From 1891 to 1974, there was a steady increase in the number of births with the name Gayle. The highest peak occurred in 1950 with 2368 births. This period can be considered as the golden age for the name Gayle, where it was widely used and popular.
However, from 1974 onwards, there has been a consistent decline in the number of births with the name Gayle. The last decade (2013-2023) saw an average of only 8 births per year, indicating that the name is no longer as popular as it once was.
In total, from 1891 to 2023, there have been 61,353 births with the name Gayle in the United States. Despite its decline in popularity in recent years, Gayle still has a significant presence among American baby names throughout history.