How popular is the baby name Gale in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Gale.

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Popularity of the baby name Gale


Posts that mention the name Gale

Barbara Gale: The first hurricane-inspired baby name?

hurricane

In 1950, the United States Weather Bureau started naming Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms.

The initial names came from a radio alphabet that began Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog, Easy, Fox and George. Because the alphabet happened to include several human names, you could say the first Atlantic storms that were “named” were the Charlies and Georges of 1950-1952.

It wasn’t until three years later that the USWB starting using human names exclusively. In 1953, it replaced the phonetic alphabet with a list of female names. (Male names weren’t thrown into the mix until 1979.)

The first storm with a female name was Tropical Storm Alice — the first storm of the 1953 storm season. I couldn’t find any babies named after Alice, but I did find one named after the second storm, Hurricane Barbara.

Hurricane Barbara traveled up the Eastern seaboard in mid-August. It struck the Outer Banks (islands off the North Carolina coast) on August 13. That night, a baby girl born in New Bern, N.C., to Mr. and Mrs. N. E. Ward was named Barbara Gale.

There were six other named storms (Carol, Dolly, Edna, Florence, Gail and Hazel) that season, but I could only find a namesake for one of them — Florence.

Hurricane Florence struck the Florida panhandle on September 26. Earlier that day, a baby born in Crestview, Florida, to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Holt was named Sandra Florence.

Since 1953, many more babies — hundreds, probably — have been named for Atlantic hurricanes. Hurricane-inspired baby names I’ve written about here include Hazel (1954), Alicia (1983), Elena (1985), Gloria (1985), Andrew (1992) and Isabel (2003).

P.S. One of the things that helped popularize the idea of naming hurricanes in the first place was George R. Stewart’s book Storm (1941), which also had an influence on the baby name Mariah.

Sources:

Image (Hurricane Elena) by NASA

Gale Storm named her baby after a TV character

Gale Storm

Actress and singer Gale Storm wasn’t born with that name — she was born Josephine Owaissa Cottle in Texas in 1922. (Her four older siblings were named Lois, Wilbur, Minnie, and Joel.)

Her first name came from her paternal grandmother, and her unusual middle was chosen by her older sister Lois. Here’s how she explained it:

Owaissa means bluebird in Indian. They let my sister name me and she was going through an Indian period then.

Lois had likely encountered the name in school, via Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1855 poem “The Song of Hiawatha” — a fictional account of an Ojibwe warrior named Hiawatha. The name is indeed defined as “bluebird” in the poem, though the Ojibwe word for “bluebird” is actually more along the lines of ozahwunoo.

In her late teens, Josephine became a contestant on a radio talent show called Gateway to Hollywood. She ended up winning, and was awarded not only a contract with a movie studio, but a brand new name: Gale Storm. The male winner, Lee Bonnell, who was given the stage name Terry Belmont, later became Gale’s real-life husband.

Gale and Terry went on to have four children. Their three sons were named after the Biblical figures of Philip, Peter and Paul. But their daughter, born in 1956, was not named with a Biblical figure in mind. Instead, she was named after fictional cruise director Susanna Pomeroy — the character Gale Storm portrayed on The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna from 1956 to 1960.

Sources:

Babies named after Katniss from “Hunger Games”?

"The Hunger Games" (2008)
The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a young adult science-fiction trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The last of the three books, Mockingjay, was released a few weeks ago.

At the moment, Mockingjay is #5 on the Amazon.com Bestseller List. Catching Fire, the second book, is #13. Hunger Games, the first, is #16.

Movies based on the books are in the works.

What interests me about the series is that most of the Hunger Games characters have odd names. The young female protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, was named after an edible plant called katniss. She has a younger sister named Primrose, a male friend named Peeta, and lives in a world where people are named anything from Glimmer to Plutarch.

We all know that popular books and movies have the potential to affect baby name trends–even create brand new baby names. Babies have been named Renesmee thanks to Twilight, Neytiri thanks to Avatar, Galadriel thanks to The Lord of the Rings…the list goes on.

Could you see Katniss crossing over into the real world as a baby name? How about any of the other Hunger Games names?

(I first learned about these books in a video by Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn, which is a great blog/site/podcast for writers.)

Update, March 26, 2012: As you know, the trilogy is now a movie. And, last weekend, Hunger Games (the film) had the 3rd-best opening weekend of all time (after The Dark Knight and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2). So…Katniss is pretty much a sure thing at this point. If it doesn’t debut in 2011 for the books, it’s bound to debut in 2012 for the movie.

Update, July 21, 2020: The name Katniss did indeed debut in 2012, as did Finnick. Primrose made a return that year as well, as did Gale for baby boys. Two more Hunger Games names affected by subsequent movies include Everdeen (debuted in 2014) and Cressida (re-emerged in 2014). And, going back to the books, the name Rue returned in 2010.

Anagram baby names (4 letters long)

Anagram baby names (4 letters)

Looking for a set of baby names with something in common? If so, here are some 4-letter anagram names for you to check out!

Anagrams are words that contain the same set of letters, but not in the same sequence. For instance, the words “race,” “care,” and “acre” are all anagrams of one another.

Anagram names can be a neat option for siblings — particularly multiples (like twins and triplets). They’re also a clever way to connect a baby name to the name of an older relative (e.g., grandpa Gary, grandson Gray).

Below are hundreds of four-letter names (collected from the SSA’s huge database of U.S. baby names) that happen to be anagrams of other names.

Four-letter anagram names

  • Adir, Adri, Ardi, Dair, Dari, Diar, Dira, Dria, Riad, Rida
  • Anir, Anri, Arin, Iran, Nari, Nira, Rain, Rani, Rian, Rina
  • Aris, Asir, Isra, Rais, Rias, Risa, Sair, Sari, Siar, Sira
  • Asim, Asmi, Isam, Isma, Mais, Misa, Saim, Sami, Siam, Sima
  • Alen, Anel, Elan, Elna, Lane, Lean, Lena, Neal, Nela
  • Alin, Anil, Ilan, Lain, Lani, Lian, Lina, Nali, Nila
  • Amin, Iman, Mani, Mian, Mina, Naim, Nami, Niam, Nima
  • Anvi, Avin, Avni, Ivan, Navi, Niva, Vani, Vian, Vina
  • Adin, Andi, Dain, Dani, Dian, Dina, Idan, Nida
  • Ahri, Hari, Hira, Irah, Irha, Rahi, Rhia, Riah
  • Amir, Amri, Iram, Irma, Mari, Mira, Rami, Rima
  • Ariv, Arvi, Avir, Avri, Ivar, Ravi, Riva, Vira
  • Arno, Aron, Noar, Nora, Oran, Orna, Roan, Rona
  • Emir, Emri, Imer, Imre, Irem, Meir, Meri, Remi
  • Eron, Nero, Nore, Oren, Reno, Reon, Roen, Rone
  • Aden, Dane, Dean, Dena, Edan, Edna, Neda
  • Aina, Anai, Ania, Iaan, Iana, Naia, Niaa
  • Akil, Alik, Ikal, Ilka, Kail, Kali, Kila
  • Akim, Kami, Kiam, Maik, Maki, Mika, Mkai
  • Akin, Anik, Kain, Kani, Kian, Kina, Nika
  • Alek, Elka, Kael, Kale, Kela, Klea, Lake
  • Alem, Amel, Elam, Elma, Leam, Mael, Mela
  • Alim, Amil, Ilma, Liam, Lima, Mali, Mila
  • Alis, Asil, Asli, Ilsa, Isla, Lisa, Sila
  • Alun, Lanu, Luan, Luna, Nalu, Nula, Ulan
  • Alyn, Lany, Layn, Lyan, Lyna, Nyla, Ylan
  • Anis, Isan, Nasi, Nisa, Sani, Sian, Sina
  • Ariz, Azir, Izra, Razi, Zair, Zari, Zira
  • Elon, Leno, Leon, Noel, Nole, Olen, Onel
  • Iron, Noir, Nori, Onir, Orin, Rion, Roni
  • Aari, Aira, Arai, Aria, Iara, Raia
  • Acel, Alec, Cael, Cale, Clea, Lace
  • Adel, Dael, Dale, Dela, Elda, Leda
  • Ahil, Hali, Hila, Ihla, Ilha, Liah
  • Aily, Ilay, Ilya, Iyla, Liya, Yali
  • Ajan, Ajna, Anja, Jaan, Jana, Naja
  • Alex, Axel, Axle, Lexa, Xael, Xela
  • Amen, Eman, Enma, Mane, Mena, Nema
  • Amor, Amro, Maor, Mora, Omar, Roma
  • Anni, Iann, Inna, Nain, Nani, Nina
  • Anze, Azen, Enza, Ezan, Zane, Zena
  • Ayin, Iyan, Niya, Nyia, Yani, Yian
  • Azel, Elza, Zael, Zale, Zeal, Zela
  • Ekin, Enki, Kein, Keni, Kien, Nike
  • Erik, Iker, Keir, Keri, Kier, Kire
  • Izan, Izna, Zain, Zani, Zian, Zina
  • Kior, Kiro, Kori, Kroi, Orik, Riko
  • Abel, Able, Bela, Elba, Leba
  • Abir, Abri, Arib, Bair, Bria
  • Adil, Dali, Ilda, Ladi, Lida
  • Aeri, Aire, Arie, Eira, Reia
  • Ahmi, Haim, Mahi, Mhia, Miah
  • Ahni, Hani, Hina, Ihan, Niah
  • Aima, Amai, Amia, Maia, Miaa
  • Alam, Alma, Amal, Lama, Mala
  • Alay, Alya, Ayal, Ayla, Laya
  • Alie, Eila, Elai, Elia, Leia
  • Alon, Lona, Naol, Nola, Olan
  • Amar, Amra, Aram, Mara, Rama
  • Amer, Emra, Erma, Mera, Rema
  • Ames, Esma, Mase, Mesa, Sema
  • Amzi, Azim, Izma, Mazi, Zaim
  • Anar, Aran, Arna, Nara, Rana
  • Anay, Anya, Ayan, Naya, Yana
  • Aras, Asar, Asra, Rasa, Sara
  • Arel, Earl, Lera, Rael, Real
  • Aren, Arne, Eran, Nare, Rena
  • Ares, Aser, Esra, Sare, Sera
  • Arif, Fira, Ifra, Rafi, Raif
  • Arlo, Lora, Orla, Ralo, Rola
  • Ayen, Enya, Eyan, Neya, Yena
  • Elim, Emil, Liem, Meli, Miel
  • Elin, Leni, Neil, Neli, Nile
  • Elis, Elsi, Esli, Ilse, Lise
  • Elya, Eyal, Eyla, Leya, Yael
  • Enok, Keno, Keon, Koen, Neko
  • Erin, Iren, Neri, Rein, Reni
  • Eris, Reis, Ries, Rise, Sire
  • Eryn, Nery, Reyn, Ryen, Ryne
  • Imon, Moni, Nimo, Nomi, Omni
  • Irya, Iyra, Riya, Yair, Yari
  • Isak, Kais, Kasi, Kisa, Skai
  • Izak, Kazi, Kiza, Zaki, Zkai
  • Lino, Lion, Loni, Nilo, Olin
  • Nyza, Yazn, Zayn, Zyan, Zyna
  • Aadi, Adia, Aida, Daia
  • Acer, Acre, Cera, Race
  • Adan, Adna, Dana, Nada
  • Adar, Arda, Dara, Raad
  • Adem, Amed, Dema, Emad
  • Adja, Daja, Jaad, Jada
  • Adly, Daly, Lady, Lyda
  • Adya, Ayda, Ayad, Daya
  • Adyn, Andy, Aydn, Dany
  • Ahan, Ahna, Anah, Hana
  • Aidy, Diya, Iyad, Yida
  • Aiko, Akio, Aoki, Kaio
  • Aila, Alai, Alia, Laia
  • Aimy, Miya, Myia, Yami
  • Aisa, Asai, Asia, Saia
  • Aiza, Azai, Azia, Zaia
  • Akon, Kano, Kaon, Kona
  • Alia, Alli, Illa, Lila
  • Aliz, Izla, Liza, Zila
  • Aman, Amna, Anam, Mana
  • Amay, Amya, Maya, Yama
  • Amit, Mati, Taim, Tiam
  • Amon, Mona, Noam, Oman
  • Amun, Anum, Manu, Muna
  • Amyr, Mary, Myra, Ramy
  • Anav, Avan, Nava, Vana
  • Ansh, Hans, Nash, Shan
  • Araf, Arfa, Fara, Rafa
  • Arik, Kari, Kira, Rika
  • Aryn, Nyra, Rayn, Ryan
  • Ashe, Esha, Shae, Shea
  • Asma, Masa, Saam, Sama
  • Atem, Mate, Meta, Tema
  • Atli, Liat, Lita, Tali
  • Avel, Elva, Vale, Vela
  • Aven, Evan, Neva, Vena
  • Avid, Davi, Diva, Vida
  • Avik, Kavi, Kiva, Vika
  • Avyn, Navy, Vyan, Yvan
  • Ayon, Noya, Yoan, Yona
  • Azar, Azra, Raza, Zara
  • Baer, Bear, Brea, Reba
  • Bain, Bani, Bina, Iban
  • Caly, Clay, Cyla, Lacy
  • Daer, Drea, Raed, Reda
  • Edin, Deni, Enid, Iden
  • Ehan, Hena, Neah, Neha
  • Eino, Eion, Enio, Ione
  • Elah, Hale, Hela, Leah
  • Elyn, Nely, Nyel, Nyle
  • Emry, Mery, Myer, Remy
  • Erza, Ezra, Reza, Zera
  • Etan, Etna, Nate, Tena
  • Gian, Gina, Inga, Nagi
  • Hays, Shay, Shya, Yash
  • Hera, Reah, Reha, Rhea
  • Inez, Izen, Zein, Zeni
  • Isha, Shai, Shia, Siah
  • Jani, Jian, Jina, Naji
  • Kaly, Kayl, Klay, Kyla
  • Kory, Kroy, Kyro, York
  • Miro, Omir, Omri, Romi
  • Nita, Tani, Tian, Tina
  • Riot, Rito, Tori, Troi
  • Aban, Bana, Naba
  • Adis, Sadi, Said
  • Afsa, Asaf, Safa
  • Aime, Amei, Amie
  • Aine, Eian, Neia
  • Aino, Ioan, Iona
  • Aiva, Avia, Vaia
  • Aker, Arek, Kera
  • Akya, Ayak, Kaya
  • Alan, Lana, Nala
  • Albi, Bali, Liba
  • Aloe, Eloa, Olea
  • Alva, Lava, Vala
  • Alys, Asly, Syla
  • Alyx, Axyl, Xyla
  • Amaj, Jama, Maja
  • Ange, Egan, Gena
  • Anka, Kaan, Kana
  • Anan, Anna, Nana
  • Anas, Asan, Sana
  • Angy, Gyan, Yang
  • Anne, Enna, Nena
  • Anny, Nyna, Yann
  • Anuj, Juan, Juna
  • Anza, Azan, Zana
  • Areg, Grae, Rage
  • Aric, Cari, Cira
  • Arly, Lyra, Ryla
  • Aros, Rosa, Sora
  • Arpi, Pari, Pria
  • Arun, Nura, Runa
  • Arye, Raye, Reya
  • Asif, Safi, Saif
  • Asya, Aysa, Saya
  • Atom, Mato, Toma
  • Atzi, Itza, Zita
  • Aury, Ruya, Yura
  • Avey, Veya, Yeva
  • Avya, Ayva, Vaya
  • Axen, Xane, Xena
  • Ayaz, Ayza, Zaya
  • Azon, Ozan, Zona
  • Azul, Zaul, Zula
  • Cami, Maci, Mica
  • Ciro, Cori, Rico
  • Cleo, Cloe, Cole
  • Dave, Deva, Veda
  • Dezi, Ediz, Zeid
  • Dima, Imad, Madi
  • Dino, Dion, Odin
  • East, Esta, Tesa
  • Elen, Leen, Neel
  • Elek, Elke, Klee
  • Elio, Loie, Olie
  • Elky, Kely, Kyle
  • Ella, Lael, Lela
  • Elli, Liel, Lile
  • Elsa, Sael, Sela
  • Elta, Leta, Teal
  • Emre, Meer, Reem
  • Emya, Maye, Meya
  • Enas, Sean, Sena
  • Enos, Enso, Eson
  • Envi, Evin, Iven
  • Enzo, Zeno, Zeon
  • Eren, Neer, Rene
  • Erum, Meru, Umer
  • Erys, Ryse, Syre
  • Even, Neev, Neve
  • Ezio, Zoei, Zoie
  • Ezri, Zier, Zire
  • Gail, Gali, Gila
  • Ghia, Giah, Haig
  • Haji, Jahi, Jiah
  • Hiro, Iroh, Rohi
  • Imir, Imri, Miri
  • Iqra, Qari, Qira
  • Isom, Mosi, Somi
  • Izek, Zeik, Zeki
  • Jami, Maji, Mija
  • Jane, Jean, Jena
  • Jino, Jion, Joni
  • Kadi, Kaid, Kida
  • Kane, Kean, Kena
  • Kary, Kyra, Ryka
  • Kilo, Liko, Loki
  • Kino, Kion, Niko
  • Kleo, Kloe, Kole
  • Kmya, Kyam, Myka
  • Lavi, Vail, Vali
  • Leor, Lore, Roel
  • Lior, Lori, Orli
  • Lory, Orly, Rylo
  • Maev, Mave, Meva
  • Moti, Timo, Tomi
  • Omer, Remo, Rome
  • Oryn, Rony, Ryon
  • Sita, Tasi, Tisa
  • Tera, Trae, Trea
  • Thai, Thia, Tiah
  • Tino, Tion, Toni
  • Tory, Troy, Ryot
  • Xain, Xian, Xina
  • Ynez, Zeyn, Zyen
  • Aaro, Roaa
  • Abem, Meba
  • Abhi, Hiba
  • Acai, Caia
  • Acen, Cane
  • Acyn, Cyan
  • Adae, Adea
  • Adah, Ahad
  • Adam, Amad
  • Adau, Duaa
  • Aela, Alea
  • Aera, Raea
  • Aeva, Avea
  • Aide, Deia
  • Aika, Akia
  • Aimi, Miia
  • Aivy, Viya
  • Aixa, Xaia
  • Ajah, Haja
  • Ajai, Jaia
  • Ajit, Taji
  • Ajla, Jala
  • Ajay, Jaya
  • Akai, Kaia
  • Alix, Axil
  • Ally, Lyla
  • Aloy, Loay
  • Alta, Tala
  • Amos, Soma
  • Arav, Vara
  • Arha, Raha
  • Ario, Oria
  • Arka, Kara
  • Arla, Lara
  • Arli, Lira
  • Arth, Hart
  • Aryo, Roya
  • Arys, Syra
  • Arzu, Uraz
  • Ason, Sona
  • Atif, Tifa
  • Audy, Uday
  • Avah, Hava
  • Avee, Eeva
  • Avie, Evia
  • Avis, Savi
  • Aviv, Viva
  • Avon, Nova
  • Ayah, Haya
  • Ayat, Taya
  • Ayse, Eyas
  • Azad, Zada
  • Azal, Zala
  • Azam, Maaz
  • Aziz, Izza
  • Badr, Brad
  • Bane, Bena
  • Beni, Ebin
  • Bert, Bret
  • Bode, Obed
  • Boen, Ebon
  • Bray, Brya
  • Bree, Eber
  • Bruk, Burk
  • Cade, Dace
  • Cadi, Caid
  • Cain, Cian
  • Cali, Laci
  • Cary, Cyra
  • Cash, Chas
  • Chaz, Zach
  • Cire, Eric
  • Coen, Enoc
  • Clio, Loic
  • Dade, Edda
  • Dash, Shad
  • Dava, Vada
  • Deen, Eden
  • Deja, Jade
  • Deka, Kade
  • Demi, Diem
  • Deon, Oden
  • Dewa, Wade
  • Deya, Eyad
  • Dior, Dori
  • Dory, Rody
  • Duha, Huda
  • Eder, Reed
  • Edyn, Endy
  • Egon, Geno
  • Ehab, Heba
  • Eisa, Esai
  • Eiza, Ezai
  • Ekam, Meka
  • Eker, Kree
  • Elea, Leea
  • Elif, Leif
  • Elih, Lehi
  • Eliz, Izel
  • Elly, Lyle
  • Elom, Melo
  • Eloy, Yoel
  • Elvy, Levy
  • Emet, Mete
  • Emit, Temi
  • Emma, Mame
  • Enis, Ines
  • Envy, Evyn
  • Eros, Rose
  • Eryk, Kyre
  • Esmi, Siem
  • Etai, Teia
  • Etta, Tate
  • Ever, Veer
  • Evie, Ivee
  • Evon, Nevo
  • Faya, Yafa
  • Faiz, Fiza
  • Flor, Rolf
  • Gael, Gale
  • Galo, Olga
  • Gema, Mega
  • Gary, Gray
  • Halo, Loah
  • Hank, Khan
  • Haru, Ruah
  • Hedy, Hyde
  • Heir, Heri
  • Hiya, Iyah
  • Iain, Niia
  • Icon, Nico
  • Igor, Rigo
  • Iris, Siri
  • Irys, Syir
  • Itay, Tiya
  • Iver, Revi
  • Ives, Sevi
  • Ivey, Yvie
  • Ivin, Nivi
  • Ivon, Novi
  • Jady, Jayd
  • Jair, Jari
  • Jake, Kaje
  • Jara, Raja
  • Jasa, Saja
  • Jase, Saje
  • Jasi, Jsai
  • Jiro, Jori
  • Joan, Jona
  • Joas, Ojas
  • Joey, Joye
  • Kado, Koda
  • Kady, Kayd
  • Kalo, Koal
  • Kaos, Oaks
  • Karl, Lark
  • Kate, Teak
  • Kato, Kota
  • Kaye, Keya
  • Kayn, Kyan
  • Kayo, Koya
  • Kaze, Keza
  • Kemi, Mike
  • Keny, Kyne
  • Kiel, Kile
  • Kiko, Koki
  • Kimi, Miki
  • Kimo, Miko
  • Kiri, Riki
  • Kyon, Nyko
  • Lalo, Lola
  • Levi, Liev
  • Lilo, Olli
  • Liyu, Yuli
  • Lois, Soli
  • Loza, Zola
  • Lula, Ulla
  • Luma, Malu
  • Lura, Raul
  • Lyam, Myla
  • Lyon, Nylo
  • Lyza, Zyla
  • Macy, Myca
  • Maru, Umar
  • Maty, Taym
  • Mays, Samy
  • Maze, Zema
  • Mely, Myel
  • Miyu, Yumi
  • Mory, Romy
  • Nafi, Naif
  • Nino, Noni
  • Noah, Noha
  • Nona, Onna
  • Nour, Onur
  • Nyir, Ryin
  • Onix, Xion
  • Onyx, Xyon
  • Opal, Pola
  • Orry, Rory
  • Osha, Soha
  • Oslo, Solo
  • Pars, Sarp
  • Prue, Pure
  • Reva, Vera
  • Roah, Roha
  • Roza, Zora
  • Ryel, Ryle
  • Ryze, Zyer
  • Saed, Sade
  • Saul, Sula
  • Seva, Svea
  • Sevy, Yves
  • Sota, Taos
  • Taro, Tora
  • Tavi, Vita
  • Teah, Thea
  • Tony, Tyon
  • Tovi, Vito
  • Trey, Tyre
  • Vyla, Ylva
  • Wali, Wila
  • Xayn, Xyan
  • Yuan, Yuna
  • Zaid, Ziad
  • Zavi, Ziva
  • Zayd, Zyad
  • Zoah, Zoha

Which pairing/group do you like best? Let me know in the comments!

To see anagram names of other lengths, check out these lists of 3-letter anagram names, 5-letter anagram names, 6-letter anagram names, 7-letter anagram names, and 8-letter anagram names.

[Latest update: April 2023]