Gaila

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Gaila

Pronounced GAY-luh /ˈɡeɪ.lə/Medium

Meaning: Gaila is an elaborated form of Gail or Gayle, both short forms of Abigail, from the Hebrew Avigail, 'my father is joy' or 'source of joy'. The added -a softens the crisp Gail into a fuller name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Gaila is a rounded elaboration of Gail and Gayle, short for Abigail, meaning 'my father is joy'. A soft mid-century name, it stayed a small rarity.

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningGaila is an elaborated form of Gail or Gayle, both short forms of Abigail, from the Hebrew Avigail, 'my father is joy' or 'source of joy'. The added -a softens the crisp Gail into a fuller name.

U.S. rank (1982)#11034 ↘ Falling

1982 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1954

Total births (all-time)≈ 564

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gaila is an elaboration of Gail or Gayle, short forms of Abigail, from Hebrew Avigail, 'my father is joy'. Gail was hugely popular at mid-century, and softened elaborations like Gaila grew from that same root, adding a vowel for a gentler finish.

It was never common, appearing at a few dozen girls a year with a faint peak around 1954 before fading by the 1980s. Gaila reads as a mid-century name in the Gail family and, like Gail itself, has stayed of its era rather than reviving.

Did you know? Gail and its spin-offs like Gaila all began as short forms of Abigail - so the breezy mid-century name still carries Abigail's warm meaning, 'my father is joy'.

Overall data confidence 60%

References - Gaila / Gail — Hebrew Avigail 'my father is joy'; elaboration of Gail/Gayle

Variations

GailGayleGaylaGaela

Nicknames

GayLala

Famous Bearers

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If you like Gaila…

Gayle— the base name, same Abigail root

Gail— another short form of Abigail

Gala— a similar-sounding girls' name

Kayla— shares the soft -la ending

Explore names like Gaila

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gaila mean?

Gaila is an elaboration of Gail or Gayle, short forms of Abigail, meaning 'my father is joy'.

How do you pronounce Gaila?

It's said GAY-luh /ˈɡeɪ.lə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gaila a boy or girl name?

Gaila is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Gaila?

Gaila has always been rare, a soft elaboration of the mid-century favourite Gail.