Gabriel is a male given name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my strength." It is derived from the Hebrew phrase "geber el," which translates to "strong man" or "man of God." The name Gabriel has been used for centuries, with its popularity peak during the Middle Ages in Europe.
In the Bible, Gabriel is an archangel who appears in both the Old and New Testaments. He is known as a messenger of God, delivering important messages and prophecies to humans. In the Book of Daniel, Gabriel explains visions to the prophet Daniel, while in the Gospel of Luke, he announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
The name Gabriel has been used by numerous figures throughout history. Some notable individuals named Gabriel include Gabriel Fauré, a French composer known for his Requiem; Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian novelist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature; and Gabriel Byrne, an Irish actor and film director.
Today, Gabriel continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their sons. Its meanings of "God is my strength" or "man of God" make it a name with significant spiritual connotations. Additionally, its biblical roots give it a historic and traditional feel. Despite its Hebrew origins, the name Gabriel has been widely adopted across different cultures and languages throughout history.
In summary, Gabriel is a male given name of Hebrew origin that means "God is my strength." It has strong biblical ties, with the archangel Gabriel serving as an important messenger of God in both the Old and New Testaments. Throughout history, many notable figures have borne this name, making it a popular choice for parents today due to its meaningful significance and historic roots.
The given statistics show the number of babies named Gabriel born in the United States each year from 1973 to 2021. The name's popularity has varied over time, with peaks and valleys.
In the early years, there were fewer than ten births per year with this name. However, a significant increase was observed starting around the late 1990s. Between 1998 and 2006, the number of births annually fluctuated between 14 and 30, showing a rising trend.
The peak in popularity for the name Gabriel occurred in 2006 with 30 births that year. This trend continued into the early 2010s, with over 20 births recorded each year from 2008 to 2013. However, there was a notable decrease in popularity starting from 2014, with fewer than ten births annually until 2021.
Overall, from 1973 to 2021, the name Gabriel was given to a total of 445 babies born in the United States. This represents an interesting journey of popularity over nearly five decades.