Gabriel Name Meaning

A deeply spiritual name with ties to several religions, Gabriel means “God is my strength.” In Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Gabriel serves as a messenger from God, visiting select people with the word of God and other instructions. Notably, he’s an archangel in the Old Testament, announcing the birth of Jesus Christ. A name of strength and conviction, Gabriel is a beautiful choice for those looking to honor their beliefs.

Gabriel is a consistent charter on the U.S. Top 1000 list, though his popularity has risen and fallen over the years. This has allowed the name to flourish, avoiding the label of being dated or trendy. He’s a classic with widespread appeal, spanning generations with ease.

Despite his ancient roots, he fits in well today thanks to his strong meaning and soft sound, wearing well in a world of Aiden and Liam. He also has several precious nicknames that will stand out in a crowd from the obvious Gabe to the unexpected Breeze or Breezy.

Gabriel has also seen a boost recently from his appearances in film, battling Dracula in Van Helsing and serving a lead angel in Legion. These strong action characters give the name an extra coat of cool armor, associating it further with strength.

Gabriel has several variants including Gavril and Gabor. Female versions of the name are Gabriella, Gabrielle, and Briella.

Infographic of Gabriel name meaning, which is From the Hebrew Gavri’el, Gabriel means God is my strength.
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Gabriel Name Popularity

How popular is the name Gabriel? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 460 11 0.0031%
1911 359 27 0.0073%
1912 443 40 0.0079%
1913 416 66 0.0116%
1914 416 90 0.0129%
1915 411 131 0.0144%
1916 410 140 0.0145%
1917 412 147 0.0147%
1918 425 149 0.0139%
1919 432 145 0.0138%
1920 435 151 0.0136%
1921 412 179 0.0156%
1922 458 144 0.0129%
1923 411 176 0.0157%
1924 398 194 0.0167%
1925 431 157 0.0139%
1926 441 148 0.0135%
1927 372 208 0.0188%
1928 356 222 0.0207%
1929 377 195 0.0188%
1930 389 185 0.0177%
1931 399 163 0.0165%
1932 411 149 0.0151%
1933 392 153 0.0164%
1934 462 112 0.0116%
1935 417 137 0.0141%
1936 386 163 0.0169%
1937 434 128 0.013%
1938 440 131 0.0128%
1939 476 103 0.0101%
1940 428 147 0.0138%
1941 404 167 0.0148%
1942 453 149 0.0118%
1943 450 153 0.0117%
1944 448 145 0.0117%
1945 466 120 0.0098%
1946 490 131 0.0089%
1947 436 203 0.0122%
1948 452 173 0.0108%
1949 422 211 0.0131%
1950 422 215 0.0134%
1951 431 206 0.0121%
1952 438 215 0.0123%
1953 426 237 0.0134%
1954 427 234 0.0128%
1955 399 289 0.0157%
1956 415 295 0.0156%
1957 403 330 0.0171%
1958 412 326 0.0172%
1959 377 405 0.0213%
1960 384 379 0.02%
1961 338 499 0.0264%
1962 334 504 0.0275%
1963 330 538 0.03%
1964 314 569 0.0323%
1965 308 568 0.0347%
1966 325 494 0.0316%
1967 291 594 0.0391%
1968 273 689 0.0459%
1969 247 815 0.0529%
1970 205 1,202 0.0755%
1971 172 1,544 0.1027%
1972 138 1,901 0.1396%
1973 131 1,959 0.1511%
1974 118 2,216 0.1705%
1975 106 2,428 0.1889%
1976 81 3,298 0.2559%
1977 87 3,344 0.2481%
1978 90 3,125 0.2324%
1979 89 3,230 0.2291%
1980 85 3,495 0.239%
1981 87 3,376 0.2297%
1982 88 3,368 0.2254%
1983 89 3,263 0.2211%
1984 87 3,311 0.2226%
1985 92 3,206 0.2112%
1986 95 3,039 0.2013%
1987 99 3,059 0.2005%
1988 102 3,092 0.1984%
1989 110 3,023 0.1873%
1990 100 3,690 0.2226%
1991 82 4,410 0.2706%
1992 86 4,328 0.2712%
1993 86 4,368 0.2802%
1994 68 5,536 0.3607%
1995 65 5,712 0.379%
1996 61 5,897 0.3938%
1997 57 6,403 0.4329%
1998 54 7,066 0.4721%
1999 53 7,369 0.4921%
2000 44 8,678 0.5681%
2001 38 10,915 0.7244%
2002 32 12,052 0.8042%
2003 29 12,517 0.8228%
2004 32 11,555 0.7581%
2005 28 12,754 0.8342%
2006 28 12,534 0.8005%
2007 28 12,900 0.8176%
2008 24 13,027 0.8429%
2009 21 12,825 0.8581%
2010 21 12,873 0.8933%
2011 24 12,337 0.8659%
2012 24 11,549 0.8105%
2013 24 11,227 0.7885%
2014 24 10,912 0.749%
2015 22 10,859 0.7463%
2016 25 10,207 0.7079%
2017 31 9,083 0.6508%
2018 35 8,335 0.6067%
2019 37 7,678 0.5672%
2020 37 6,976 0.5481%
2021 38 7,207 0.5896%
2022 36 7,086 0.5371%

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Data via SSA.gov.


Names Like Gabriel

If you like Gabriel, you’ll love these other names like Gabriel.


What names are diminutives of Gabriel?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Gabriel sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Gabriel, but shorter.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Gab

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabbi

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabbie

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabby

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabe

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabi

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabie

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gaby

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew


What names are variants of Gabriel?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Gabriel.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Gabrian

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabriele

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabrielli

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gabriello

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gavriel

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gavril

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew

Gavrilo

God's able-bodied one; hero of God

Hebrew


What names sound like Gabriel?

If you like how Gabriel sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Gabriel.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Adriel

God's flock

Hebrew

Ariel

Lion of God

Hebrew

Azriel

God is my help

Hebrew

Fabian

Bean farmer

Latin

Gable

Roof wall

French

Gael

Gaelic one

Gaelic

Gage

Pledge

English

Gale

Foreigner; cheerful, happy

Irish

Galen

Calm

Greek

Uriel

Angel of light; flame of God

Hebrew

Zuriel

The Lord my rock

Hebrew


What names are similar to Gabriel?

Find a name that’s like Gabriel, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Daniel

God is My Judge

Hebrew

David

Beloved

Hebrew

Elijah

My God is Yahweh

Hebrew

Ezekiel

God will strengthen

Hebrew

Henry

Home ruler

English

Isaiah

God is salvation

Hebrew

Lucas

From Lucania

Latin

Michael

Who is Like God?

Hebrew

Samuel

Name of God

Hebrew

Sebastian

Venerable or honorable

Greek


Lists With Gabriel

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Gabriel.


Siblings of Gabriel

Mamas with kids named Gabriel also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Jacob

Supplanter

Hebrew

Augustus

Great, magnificient

Latin

Irene

Peace

Greek

Camila

Young religious servant

Spanish

Simeon

To hear, to be heard; reputation

Hebrew

Emily

To excel

Latin

Brynleigh

Burned meadow

English

Julian

Young at heart

Latin

Emmanuel

God is with us

Hebrew

Isaiah

God is salvation

Hebrew

Ezekiel

God will strengthen

Hebrew

Brayden

Son of Bradan

Irish

Santiago

Saint James

Spanish

Milan

Eager, laborious or rival; a coming together

Slavic

Nailah

Attainer

Arabic

Jonah

Dove

Hebrew

Yuki
Marcello

Latin

Grace

Gracious one

English

Isaac

He will laugh

Hebrew

Felicity

Happiness

Latin

Elias

My God is Yahweh

Hebrew

Evander

Good man

Greek

Eliza

God is my oath

English

Aviya

God is My Father

Hebrew

Maccabee

Hammer

Aramaic

Zebulun

Dwelling of honor

Hebrew

53 Comments

  1. I chose this name after the archangel Gabriel

  2. We prayed about a name and before we even knew the gender God gave us the name Gabriel in church one Sunday when I was around 12 weeks. When we found out at the 20 week sonogram that he was indeed a boy, we knew his name Gabriel, strong warrior of God , would be his name. And he already is so strong! At only 5 days old, he’s able to hold his little head up and roll his head over to the other side. I thought he’d have a noodle neck for a while, but no! He’s our little angel baby ?

  3. He is perfect!

  4. Gabriel has a strong Hebrew meaning and I really like the character in the movie The Patriot played by Heath Ledger.

  5. im gay

  6. My oldest son gave me the idea for the name gabriel. I decided to keep it as backup if I couldn’t come up with any other name. I then decided that gabriel was a good fit for the baby because I had prayed and asked God for this baby and I’m forever grateful to the lord for all of my children.

  7. Gabriel was the name we settled on because it’s a good Bible name and also we wanted a G name to complete our family series. D, E, F and now G!

  8. Named after his grandfather and uncle. A biblical name meaning strength of God. An archangel.

  9. My husband is from Brazil, and I am from the US. We wanted a name that both Brazilians and people from the United States could say. It’s also one of the options his parents were going to name him. But overall we both love it!:) You pronounce it like “Gah-bree-el”

  10. I choose the name Gabriel because i want someone who will be taking my messages directly to the Creator( GOD) Since he is an arc angel and he is the one God sent to me with the good new of Christ’s birth. lol sounds funny right

  11. The name was given by his grandma,who had a dream about two names Gabriel and Daniel. I choose Gabriel cause he’s an angel sent from God

  12. I’ve always loved the name Gabriel. Can’t remember where I first heard it but even as a little girl I had a list of baby names I would like and Gabriel was always one of my favorites for a boy? Luckily my boyfriend also liked the name so there wasn’t much debated once we realized we were having a baby boy.

  13. International, easy to pronounce and write in diff languages

  14. I chose Gabriel because I love that is has a biblical reference and that it means God is my strength.

  15. I saw an angel that told me I’d be pregnant with a boy and I needed to name him Gabriel and because he did turn out to be a boy I named him Gabriel

  16. God has been with us

  17. We wanted a name you could pronounce and spell easily, but not one you hear all the time.

  18. Hey my name is Gabriel and I really LOVE the name

  19. Gabriel means strong man of God and his names aligns perfectly with him and his personality.

    • I think that the name Gabriel is a very cute and strong kind of name. All of the Gabriel’s I know are super sweet and kind and supporting. Gabriel’s will never let you down even when they want to let you get through it by yourself. Gabriel’s will never leave you in the dark and will never through you under the bus in any situation. A big thanks to all of the sweetness Gabriel’s have put into this world that is slowly falling apart!!???

  20. The name Gabriel came to me in a dream in the first month of pregnancy! I remained open to other names but it stuck and I love it! I’m from Belgium and speak French and my husband is from El Salvador and speaks Spanish, so the Latin-base is great and it’s pronounced the same in both. I don’t like the nickname Gabe and hope this won’t be used by many. It also goes well with our his big brother’s name, Marcello. His middle name is Alessandro.

  21. My husband actually chose his name and I love it ?

  22. Gabriel means God is my strength. 🙂

  23. Gabriel was a name my husband loved and bring that he’s the archangel of fertility and I conceived using ivf it felt very fitting

  24. This name came to.us about a week prior to the arrival of our boy.

    • Me too I heard God speak to me straight in moonlight I’m using gabriel

  25. I already have a son named Michael so we really like the Ark Angles theme. They are warrior angle names and we want our sons to be warriors for God. Gabriel means God is my strength and we paired it with Andrew which means Strong Man. In this crazy year of 2020 we all need to be reminded that our strength comes from Him.

  26. I named my baby boy Gabriel because he’s my second son my first son named Emilio born may 12th passed away may 24th it was very hard on me I got pregnant with Gabriel 3 months later I decided to put Gabriel as in the name of an angel Gabriel because he is my rainbow baby I fell in love with the name and my son came out just perfect it fits him very well

  27. My Gabriel, messenger from god! Truly fits my first born I lobe that name and what it means

    • I already have a boy name Malachi which is messenger of God and gabriel means that? I thought that gabriel was God is my strength

  28. Me and his father are both Italian and we chose Adrian for our first sons name and Gabriel for our second both are Italian names. Gabriel Lucas flows so well together. I don’t like that it’s biblical but love the meaning behind the name.

  29. Gabriel is a name from the Bible and his daddy actually picked it out.

  30. I wanted a strong bibical name which was also representative of a strong yet gentle male name.

  31. I named my son Gabriel (meaning; Warrior of God) because in 2008 I had a horrific car accident where I was pronounced dead at the scene then a few doctors told me that I would never be able yo have a baby of my own after 6 mis-carriages. But my son held strong through the pregnancy and delivery, proving that the doctors are not God.

  32. We chose Gabriel for the name for the meaning. His name means God is my strength.

  33. My husband had chosen this name when he was a young teen & always said if he had a boy he’d name him that. So that’s where Gabriel got his name

    We both love the name! Plus its Biblical so that’s another plus

    I’m so very glad he’s in our lives & apart of our family

  34. My husband chose the name when he saw Gabriel in the OR. It was on our shortlist as we wanted a name that wasn’t to common but had biblical roots.

    I find it a bit of a hurdle to say some times but it really suits him.

  35. We chose Gabriel because it is a guardian angels name and after 7 miscarriages leading up to Gabriel’s birth, we wanted a way to remember those losses and honor them in his namesake. His middle name is also special, Adaiah- Hebrew meaning “gift sent from Jehovah“. And a gift he is.

  36. * Why and how did you chose the name Gabriel? Before my husband and I got married we decided that if we ever had a boy that his name would be Gabriel because of the archangel.
    * What do you like (or dislike) about the name Gabriel? How folks automatically want to pronounce it like the girl version and we have to correct them.

  37. My sisters named my baby Gabriel because his due date was the 24th of December and it comes from the angel Gabriel the one who told Mary and Joseph in the Bible that she would be having a son.

  38. Gabriel has always been one of my favourite names. It’s a strong name but can also be shortened to Gabe and still be effective. It’s also because he is my little angel after being told I possibly wouldn’t be able to have children.

  39. One night, I overheard my husband and son reading the story of the angel, Gabriel, announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary. After my son was in bed, I told my husband that I really liked that name, and he agreed – even though it had already been crossed off our name list. After that, it was the name we liked most! We are so happy with it.

  40. My son was named after his father.

  41. His dad named him not to sure why he chose the name gabriel

  42. My husband picked the name, actually. He always wanted his firstborn boy to be named Gabriel, after one of the first angels. And, what an appropriate name for our baby boy! He had a rough start, with the cord around his neck and had inhaled fluid into his lungs. We almost thought we’d lost him – he IS our little angel.

  43. I picked gabriel because its out of the bible and the angels name was gabriel and the meaning of his name is a gift from God

  44. I picked gabriel because it’s out of the bible the angel and the meaning of his name is a gift from God

  45. We choose the name for the meaning. Each time his name is spoken what it means is being spoken over him

  46. Strong, classic name. Means “God is My Strength”

  47. It’s my favorite Spanish name and happens to be daddy’s name, too.

  48. We chose his name the day after he was born. We had a short list of names we liked but didn’t want to pick until we met our son.

  49. My daughter’s name is linked with my family, so we wanted to do something for out son that would give a link to my husband’s family. They all have the same initials, GAL. So we chose our favorite G name for out son, that wasn’t already used. He also has the same middle name as his dad, Andrew 🙂
    Although I don’t hate the shortened form of his name, Gabe, we don’t use it.
    It is nice that we can celebrate a Catholic feast day twice – once on the feast of the Archangels and once on the Annunciation. Gabriel is the angel that announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. Since my name is Mary, we celebrate that day as a double celebration!

  50. There is a ceramic angel in our bedroom gi en to me and my husband by my parents. We kept looking at him and praying for a baby. There we got pregnant with our boy and we named him Gabriel, just like the angel from the bible.


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