Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Gabriel
BoyHebrew· “God is my strength”
- Meaning
- God is my strength
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- GAY-bree-uhl
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #37
- US babies 2025
- 6,569
- Best rank
- #21 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Gabriel
Gabriel is a Hebrew name that means “God is my strength”.
Gabriel comes from the Hebrew Gavri'el, "God is my strength". Gabriel is an archangel who appears in the Book of Daniel and, in the Gospel of Luke, announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. He also holds a central place in Islam as Jibril, the angel of revelation. The name was used among medieval Christians and has long been common across Catholic Europe and Latin America. The French composer Gabriel Fauré and the novelist Gabriel García Márquez are notable bearers. Gabriel feels gentle and substantial at once. Gabe is the usual nickname, and Gabriella and Gabrielle are feminine forms.
Popularity over time
Gabriel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #21 in 2010, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 13,041 were named Gabriel. In 2025, 6,569 babies were named Gabriel, and it ranked #37 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #420 in 1920, #418 in 1950, #85 in 1980, #44 in 2000, #21 in 2010, and #37 in 2025. Of the 395,778 US boys named Gabriel since records began, 30% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 105,621 babies. Since 2010, 147,117 more have been named Gabriel.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Gavin, Logan, Evan, Isaac, and Aiden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gabriel ranked highest in Hawaii, New Mexico, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #15 | 28 |
| New Mexico | #16 | 48 |
| Florida | #23 | 518 |
| Delaware | #24 | 24 |
| Alaska | #24 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Gabriel over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Gabriel is usually pronounced GAY-bree-uhl, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with G and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Gabriel
A few middle names that flow with Gabriel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gabriel
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Lists that include Gabriel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gabriel mean?
Gabriel is a Hebrew name that means “God is my strength”.
What is the origin of the name Gabriel?
Gabriel has Hebrew roots. Gabriel comes from the Hebrew Gavri'el, "God is my strength".
Is Gabriel a popular name?
Yes. Gabriel ranked #37 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Gabriel a boy or girl name?
Gabriel is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Gabriel over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Gabriel?
Gabriel is usually pronounced GAY-bree-uhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings