The name Vail is of English origin and it means "valley" or " dale". It has been used as a given name for boys and girls in the United States since the mid-20th century, but its use as a first name is relatively rare.
There isn't much historical information about people named Vail prior to the 1950s. However, the name may have originated from English place names such as Vail, Arizona or Vail, Colorado, both of which were named after early settlers with the surname Vail.
The name Vail has gained some popularity in recent years due to its use by celebrities such as actress Emily VanCamp and her brother, actor Kip VanCamp. Despite this, it remains a unique and uncommon name choice for children.
Overall, Vail is a distinctive and meaningful name that can be given to boys or girls, with a connection to the natural beauty of valleys and dales. Its rarity makes it a standout choice for parents looking for something different, while its English origin gives it a familiar and approachable feel.
The name Vail has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. It first appeared on the birth records in 1915 with five newborns bearing this name, and it continued to appear sporadically throughout the decades.
During the early to mid-20th century, there was an average of five births per year with this name, with slight fluctuations. The highest number of Vails born during this period was seven in 1954.
There was a gap in records from 1955 until 1991 when the name resurfaced with six births. After that, there were periods of fluctuating popularity, with five or six births per year between 2002 and 2018.
Recently, however, there has been a notable increase in the number of newborns named Vail. In 2020 alone, ten babies were given this name, which is the highest number recorded since the beginning of the century.
Overall, over the past hundred years, there have been a total of 107 births with the name Vail in the United States. This data suggests that while the name has never been particularly common, it has maintained a steady presence throughout history and has experienced some periods of increased popularity in recent years.