Gail
Gail is a girl name of Hebrew, via English origin, meaning “Short for Abigail; 'my father's joy'”.
| Meaning | Short for Abigail; 'my father's joy' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Hebrew, via English |
| Pronunciation | GAYL |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Canada |
Meaning and origin of Gail
Gail began as a short form of Abigail, from the Hebrew Avigayil, usually explained as 'my father's joy' or 'my father rejoices'. In the Bible Abigail is the wise woman who later marries King David. Gail became an independent name in the mid-twentieth century and was fashionable in the English-speaking world from the 1940s to the 1960s.
Is Gail a religious name?
Through Abigail, Gail has a biblical root, though as a short form it is generally used without religious meaning.
How popular is Gail?
Most common among women born in the mid-twentieth century.
Gifts with the name Gail
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Spellings and variants of Gail
Names similar to Gail
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gail mean?
Gail means 'Short for Abigail; 'my father's joy''. It is of Hebrew, via English origin.
Does Gail have a religious meaning?
Through Abigail, Gail has a biblical root, though as a short form it is generally used without religious meaning.
How do you pronounce Gail?
Gail is pronounced GAYL.
Is Gail a boy or girl name?
Gail is usually a girl name.