Girls' name · since 1909

Gaye

Since 1909, U.S. Social Security records show 5,746 babies named Gaye, peaking in 1960. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.

5,746
total births
1909–1976
years on record
1950s
peak decade
36%
born in that decade

Gaye sits outside today's top ranks for girls, with 5,746 recorded since 1909.

Social Security Administration records show Gaye recorded 5,746 times among girls since 1909, though it doesn't currently rank among the most-used girls names, peaking in the 1950s. This profile derives year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1909 to 1976.

  • 5,746 total births
  • 1909–1976 years on record
  • 1950s peak decade
  • 36% born in that decade

Data updated Jun 2026

The verdict

5,746 girls have been named Gaye since 1909, peaking in the 1950s, last recorded in 1976.

5,746
total births
1909–1976
years on record
1950s
peak decade
36%
born in that decade
1950s
Peak decade

36% of everyone ever named Gaye was born in this single decade.

1960
Single peak year

268 babies were named Gaye in 1960 - its busiest year on record.

Gaye's usage pattern, beyond the headline number

Divide Gaye's SSA record in two at 1943 and the more recent half accounts for 82% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 18%, consistent with a name still gaining ground rather than fading. Its calmest year was 1909, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1960 peak of 268, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.

Gaye at a glance

Last recorded 1976

Total births

5,746

Since 1909

68 years of records

Peak year

1960

268 births that year

Strongest decade: 1950s

Current rank

Unranked

Outside the modern top-1,000

As of 1976

Active since

1909

Recorded for 68 years

Last year on file: 1976

Gaye popularity over time

Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1909–1976

Last recorded 1976
Peak year (1960)
268
Annual births at peak, across 68 years of records
-1000100200300 190919191928193719461955196419731976 8

Gaye by decade

Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance

1950s was Gaye's strongest decade.

2,043 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 36% of all-time use.

Gaye births by decade

Total births in each ten-year window

births

What this shows Peak: 1950s at 2,043 births (36% of all-time use).

Source U.S. Social Security Administration · Baby Names As of June 2026

How Gaye compares to similarly-sized names

Years in SSA records vs. share of all-time use concentrated in the single peak year, among 15 girls names closest to Gaye's total volume

Gaye vs 15 similarly-sized girls names

Gaye vs 15 similarly-sized girls names Scatter plot of 16 data points. 0%5%10%15% 20406080100120140 New & already peakedOld name, single-era peakNew & still diversifyingLong history, steady all along Years in SSA records % of total births in the single peak year Gaye
Gaye vs 15 similarly-sized girls names

Gaye by state

Where Gaye concentrates geographically, total births since 1909

Geographically diffuse
Top 8 states by recorded births for the name Gaye
Rank State Visual share Births Share of total
#1 Texas
534 9.3%
#2 California
427 7.4%
#3 New York
256 4.5%
#4 Michigan
252 4.4%
#5 Illinois
238 4.1%
#6 Pennsylvania
228 4.0%
#7 Ohio
215 3.7%
#8 Missouri
129 2.2%
Texas share of Gaye's total US births 9.3%
Even split

534 of 5,746 births nationwide. Compared to a flat distribution across 37 reporting states.

Gaye appears in 37 states. Explore state details →

Frequently Asked Questions

How popular is the name Gaye? ▼
5,746 babies have been named Gaye since 1909. It was last recorded in 1976. The peak year was 1960 with 268 births.
When was Gaye most popular? ▼
Gaye was most popular in the 1950s decade with 2,043 total births. The single peak year was 1960.
Where is Gaye most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Gaye are Texas (534 births), California (427 births), New York (256 births).
How long has the name Gaye been used? ▼
The SSA has tracked Gaye since 1909 -- 68 years through the most recent 1976 data.
What names are similar to Gaye? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Gayle, Gay, Gayla, Gaynell, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.

What to do with Gaye's data

  • Gaye's decade-level peak was the 1950s (2,043 total births); usage has since declined to 142 in the 1970s -- if you're weighing a "classic revival" angle, the trend line argues against it.
  • Texas records the most Gayes (534 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. Texas names
  • Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names

Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.

Keep exploring Gaye

Nearby Names Like Gaye

Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Gaye

Gayle Girl
#13518 61,357 births
Gay Girl
17,985 births
Gayla Girl
10,838 births
Gaynell Girl
4,251 births
Gaylene Girl
2,570 births

Compare Gaye side by side: Gaye vs Gayle Gaye vs Gay Gaye vs Gayla

Or pick any two names to compare →

Related Names

Names with a similar number of total births

Teena
5,746 births · Peak 1956
Jenesis #712
5,743 births · Peak 2023
Darcie #2802
5,753 births · Peak 1971
Brea #3146
5,739 births · Peak 1993
Oralia #13565
5,758 births · Peak 1952
Sunshine #2640
5,734 births · Peak 1975
Brigette #12342
5,727 births · Peak 1968
Venessa #13626
5,767 births · Peak 1984

Data Sources

Data as of June 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).

According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.

Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1909–1976 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).

State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).

Cite this page

NameAlmanac Editorial. "Gaye: Baby Name Since 1909 - 5,746 Births, Peak 1960." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/gaye. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Gaye draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.