Gael

Meaning: Irish person
Origin: Irish (from Old Welsh via Proto-Celtic) — From Gael; the earlier root has the sense wild man, warrior

Boy's name · #86 in the US (2025) · Trending

Popularity over time

Gael first appeared in 1919, vanished from the records entirely for 36 years, and since returning in 1989 has climbed back to #86. About 49,000 boys have carried it in all.

US births of Gael rose from 690 in 2011 to 2,745 in 2012, when Univision aired Abismo de pasión, featuring a central character named Gael.

Across the states

See where Gael is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 42 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

Gael is especially popular in Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador.

#2 in Argentina (2025) · #6 in Brazil (2025) · #7 in Ecuador (2025) · #8 in Mexico (2024) · #15 in Puerto Rico (2025) · #22 in Spain (2024) · #203 in France (2025) · #383 in Ireland (2025) · #452 in Switzerland (2025) · #757 in Belgium (2025) · #834 in Sweden (2025) · #1,489 in England & Wales (2025) and 1 more.

Famous Gaels

Gael García Bernal — Mexican actor and producer
Gaël Clichy — French footballer (born 1985)
Gaël Monfils — French tennis player (born 1986)
Gaël Kakuta — Congolese-French footballer (born 1991)
Gaël Givet — French footballer (born 1981)

In stories & tradition

Gael — How I Met Your Mother (TV series)

What Gaels become

Among 256 notable people named Gael:

No single standout — notable Gaels spread across many fields.

Similar names: Rowan · Gage · Callum · Ronan · Arlo · Elian

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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