The name Vail is of American origin and is generally considered to be a surname rather than a given name. It is derived from the Old Norse word "veil" which means "shirt". The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066, but it was not until the 18th century that the name began to be used as a first name.
There are several theories about how Vail became associated with the town of Vail, Colorado. One theory suggests that the town was named after the Vail family who were early settlers in the area. Another theory suggests that the town was named after the Vail Pass which is located nearby and was an important route for early settlers traveling westward.
The name Vail has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history, including:
* Henry Vail, a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament from 1847 to 1852.
* John W. Vail, an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Vail Corporation in 1930.
* Earl Vail, an American composer known for his works such as "Prelude No. 3" and "Concerto for Piano No. 2".
Overall, the name Vail has a rich history and is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. While it may not be one of the most common names, its unique sound and American origins make it a distinctive choice for a given name.
The name Vail has seen varied popularity over the decades in the United States, as evidenced by the birth statistics provided. The name first appeared on record with five births in 1952, suggesting that it was quite uncommon at that time. It maintained this level of rarity until 1970, when another five babies were named Vail.
Interestingly, there was a gap of twenty-eight years before the next occurrence of the name, with six births recorded in 1998. This indicates that Vail may have been out of fashion for some time before experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
The year 2004 marked a significant turning point for the name Vail. With fourteen births recorded, it seems that parents began to embrace this unique moniker more frequently. This trend continued into 2005 and 2008, with six and nine births respectively.
However, after 2009, the popularity of the name Vail took a dramatic turn. There were seven births in both 2012 and 2013, but then suddenly, there were forty-eight births each year from 2015 to 2016. This remarkable increase suggests that Vail may have become a trendy choice among parents during this period.
Despite this peak in popularity, the number of babies named Vail has since decreased. There were thirty-five births in 2017 and fifty-three in 2018, indicating a decline from the previous years' high. However, it is clear that Vail remains a popular choice, as there were still twenty-one births recorded in 2022 and twelve in 2023.
In total, there have been 388 babies named Vail born in the United States since 1952. Although its popularity has fluctuated over time, it is evident that this name has a notable presence in American culture.