Gay
girl nameGay entered the US charts in 1886, peaked at #315 in 1943, is rarely given today — a rare gem few children share.
Popularity 1886–2025
—
rank today
#315
peak (1943)
0
babies in 2025
rare
a rare gem few children share
Rank by decade
| Decade | Average rank |
|---|---|
| 1880s | #822 |
| 1890s | #783 |
| 1900s | #873 |
| 1910s | #877 |
| 1920s | #868 |
| 1930s | #415 |
| 1940s | #347 |
| 1950s | #365 |
| 1960s | #587 |
| 1970s | #3407 |
| 1980s | #9237 |
Living bearers
About 11,500 people named Gay are estimated to be alive in the US today.
The typical Gay alive today was born around 1951, making them about 74 years old.
Estimated from official SSA birth records and life tables.
Names similar in popularity
Frequently asked questions
- How popular is the name Gay in 2025?
- Gay is rarely given in the US today — it does not rank in the top 2000 girl names.
- When was the name Gay most popular?
- Gay peaked in 1943, reaching #315 among US girl names.
- Will my child share the name Gay with classmates?
- Gay will almost certainly be the only one in school.
Torn between Gay and another name?
Put them head to head — full stats, history and a verdict.
Start a name battle