Vail

♀ Girl

Pronounced VAYL /ˈveɪl/High

Meaning: From the word/surname vale/vail — 'a valley; dweller in the valley' (from Latin vallis); here for girlsMedium

In 30 seconds: Of the valley: Vail means 'a valley' (and echoes the ski town). Crisp, breezy, and modern. Used for both sexes.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Latin

MeaningFrom the word/surname vale/vail — 'a valley; dweller in the valley' (from Latin vallis); here for girls

U.S. rank (2024)#4997 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births27 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 415

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

Vail comes from the word and surname vale/vail — 'a valley; one who dwells in the valley', from Latin vallis, 'valley'. A crisp, breezy place-name (Vail, Colorado), used for both sexes, here for girls.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, a-valley at the root, and breezy.

Did you know? Vail means 'a valley; dweller in the valley' (from Latin vallis, via 'vale') — a crisp, breezy place/nature name (the Colorado ski town), used for both sexes.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Vale / Vail — etymology

Variations

ValeVayle

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Vail…

Dale— a companion 'valley' word-name

Wren— another short nature name

Abril— a fellow Latin choice

Kit— a similarly popular pick

Rae— another unisex pick

Explore names like Vail

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Vail mean?

Vail means 'a valley; dweller in the valley' (from Latin vallis).

How do you pronounce Vail?

It's said VAYL /ˈveɪl/ — a single syllable.

Is Vail a boy or girl name?

Vail is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Vail?

Vail is a rare name in the U.S.