The nameGay
Gay is an English given name, mostly feminine, taken from the old meaning of the word: "cheerful, merry". It was most used in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Unisex name
- English
Meaning
Gay comes from the English word gay in its old sense of "joyful, carefree", from the Old French gai.
Origin
English, from French.
History
In the United States Gay peaked as a girl's name in the 1940s and 1950s, then became very rare as the word took on its modern meaning.
Famous people named Gay
- Gay Talese, writer
- Gay Byrne, Irish television presenter
Popularity of the name Gay
Gay in the United States
Gay was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 5,859 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Gay. Its rise began around 1915, and it peaked in 1959. Half of all babies named Gay in the United States were born before 1950, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name.
How many people are named Gay? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Gay with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Gay side by side with the name of your choice.
Gay in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gay mean?
Gay comes from the English word gay in its old sense of "joyful, carefree", from the Old French gai.
What is the origin of the name Gay?
English, from French.
Is Gay a girl's or a boy's name?
Gay is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 93% of the babies named Gay are girls.
Who are famous people named Gay?
Gay Talese, writer; Gay Byrne, Irish television presenter.