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Gal
Pronounced GAHL /ˈɡɑl/Medium
Meaning: From the Hebrew Gal, 'wave; ripple; a mound of stones' — a short, unisex modern Israeli name, gentle and water-bright.Medium
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
Gal comes from the Hebrew for 'wave; ripple' (and, by another sense, 'a mound of stones'). It is a popular modern Israeli name, unisex and pared down. As a girl's name it reads clean and elemental, rare in the U.S. (said 'GAHL').
In the U.S. it appears only rarely, more familiar in Israel. Rare, short, and water-bright.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Gal mean?
Gal is Hebrew for 'wave; ripple' (and, by another sense, 'a mound of stones').
How do you pronounce Gal?
It's said GAHL /ˈɡɑl/ — one syllable, with a soft 'ah.'
Is Gal a boy or girl name?
In Israel Gal is unisex; here it is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Gal?
Gal is a rare name for girls in the U.S.