Gail

Hebrew, short form of Abigail
"my father rejoices"

Gail Origin and Meaning

The name Gail is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "my father rejoices".

Gail was a mid-twentieth century favorite, which has been far surpassed by its original form, Abigail and nickname Abby. Spelling variations include Gale and Gayle, the latter represented by TV journalist and Oprah bestie Gayle King. Gail was most popular in the 1950s, when it was in the Top 40, and could rise again, possibly as a middle.

# 836 in the US

Gail Rank in US Top 1000

# 1355 on Nameberry

Gail Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Gail Popularity

Famous People Named Gail

  • Gail Simmons
    Canadian TV chef
  • (Yolanda) Gail Devers
    Olympic gold medalist in track and field
  • Gail Carson Levine
    American fantasy novelist
  • Gail Kim
    Canadian professional wrestler
  • Betty Gale "Gail" Russell
    American actress
  • Gabriella Joyce "Gail" Kobe
    American actress
  • Gail Godwin
    American novelist
  • Gail Simone
    American comic book writer
  • Gail Sheehy
    American author, journalist, and lecturer.
  • Savannah Gail Worley
    daughter of singer Darryl Worley & Kimberly Perkins

Gail in Pop Culture

  • Gail McIntyre
    character on British soap "Coronation Street"
  • Gail Peck
    character on TV's "Rookie Blue"
  • Gail Emory
    character on TV's "American Gothic"
  • Gail
    character in graphic novel/film "Sin City"