Gabriel is a male given name of Hebrew origin. Its meaning is "God is my strength" or "God is my hero". The name Gabriel is derived from the Hebrew words "geber," which means "strong man" or "hero," and "El," which refers to God.
The name Gabriel has been popular throughout history, particularly among religious figures and cultural icons. In the Bible, Gabriel is an archangel who serves as a messenger of God. He announces the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ to their respective mothers, Elizabeth and Mary. In the Islamic tradition, Gabriel (known as Jibrail) is also considered a revered figure.
In literature and art, Gabriel has been used as a character name in various works. One notable example is "Gabriel Conroy," the protagonist of James Joyce's short story "The Dead." The name has also been used in films and television shows, such as in the character "Gabriel" from the TV series "Lost."
Throughout history, people with the name Gabriel have made significant contributions in diverse fields. Some famous figures with this name include Gabriel Fauré, a French composer; Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian novelist; and Gabriel Byrne, an Irish actor.
In recent years, Gabriel has become increasingly popular as a given name for boys around the world. Its popularity can be attributed to its strong religious connotations, historical significance, and timeless appeal. Despite its ancient roots, the name Gabriel remains relevant and meaningful today.
The name Gabriel has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest record shows that there were 5 babies named Gabriel in 1993. However, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly from 1998 onwards.
In 1998, there were 15 births with the name Gabriel, which nearly doubled to 20 births in 1999. The trend continued to rise, reaching a peak of 48 births in 2010. This period marked a significant increase in popularity for the name.
However, after 2010, the number of births with the name Gabriel started to decrease gradually. By 2016, there were only 11 births recorded, and this decreased further to 9 births in 2018, and 8 births in 2019. The latest record shows a further decline to 6 births in 2022.
Overall, from 1993 to 2022, there were a total of 572 babies named Gabriel in the United States. This data provides insights into the trends and patterns of naming a child Gabriel over nearly three decades.