Gabriel is a name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my strength." It is derived from the Hebrew words "Gabriel" which mean "strong man of God." The name Gabriel is also associated with the archangel Gabriel, who is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. According to tradition, Gabriel was the angel who announced the birth of Jesus Christ to Mary. The name Gabriel has been used since ancient times and has been popular throughout history. It was a favorite among early Christians and has continued to be a popular choice for parents today. Variations of the name include Gabe, Gabrielle, and Gabriele.
The name Gabriel has seen a consistent but modest popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration's records on baby names, there were five babies named Gabriel each year from 1981 to 1985. The name then appeared to be less popular for a while, with no recorded births between 1986 and 1996.
However, it seems that the name experienced a resurgence in popularity in 1997, as there were once again five babies named Gabriel born that year. This trend continued throughout the 2000s, with another five babies being named Gabriel each year from 2004 to 2010.
In total, over these years, there were a combined 25 babies given the name Gabriel in the United States. While this number may not seem particularly large compared to other popular names, it is notable that the name maintained consistent popularity over several decades. This could indicate that Gabriel has become a well-established and enduring name choice for parents in the United States.