Gayla

Hebrew, short form of Abigail

"my father rejoices"

Gayla Origin and Meaning

The name Gayla is a girl's name.

Gayla is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It most likely developed as a feminine form of Gale (meaning "cheerful" or "merry" in Middle English) or as a variant of Gaila, which has Hebrew roots meaning "joy" or "wave." Some also connect it to the Latin "gaillardia" (meaning "lively" or "high-spirited"). Gayla experienced modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s alongside other melodic names ending in 'a'. Though never reaching the top rankings, the name conveys a sense of happiness and vivacity. The name's bright, uplifting meaning and pleasant sound continue to attract parents seeking a relatively uncommon name with positive associations and straightforward pronunciation.

Gayla Rank in US Top 1000

# 893 in the US

Famous People Named Gayla

• Gayla Rienette Peevey American pop singer
• Gayla Earlene American Christian singer