"God is my strength"
Gabriel
Pronunciation: [ g-AYBR-ee-uhl ]
Does Gabriel flow with your last name?
The archangel's name meaning 'God is my strength' worn with grace
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Similar Names
Names Like Gabriel
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Gabriel
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"man of God, hero of God"
Playground Safety
Similar to Gabriel
See all →What the Gabriel report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Gabriel the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Put Gabriel head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →See what Gabriel actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Traditionally masculine name; some may perceive it as gender-nonconforming, though this perception is shifting in French-speaking and Latin American cultures
The Story of Gabriel
Gabriel comes from the Hebrew 'Gavri'el' (גַּבְרִיאֵל), meaning 'God is my strength' or 'man of God'—a compound of 'gever' (strength, man) and 'El' (God). In the Abrahamic traditions, Gabriel is the archangel who announces divine messages: he appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus in Christianity, and is the angel who revealed the Quran to Muhammad in Islam. While historically masculine in English-speaking countries, Gabriel has been used for girls in France and Latin America for generations.
Gabriel for girls is growing in English-speaking countries as the gender-neutral name trend accelerates. In France, Gabriel has long been used for both sexes, and the trend is now crossing into anglophone countries. Brazilian and Spanish-speaking communities have also embraced Gabriela's connection back to the root Gabriel.
Gabriel is one of only a handful of names shared across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—the archangel appears in all three traditions. For girls, the name carries the same strength and divine connection as the masculine form, with the added modern resonance of a bold gender-neutral choice.
Historical Record
Gabriel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,727 babies have been named Gabriel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gabriel is past its peak , currently ranked #5,562 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gabriel is one of only three angels named in the Bible (with Michael and Raphael)
- In France, Gabriel has been used for girls for centuries—Coco Chanel's real first name was Gabrielle
Gabriel in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →"whitish, fair"
"combination of cherry and beryl"
"adventure, wandering"
"God is my judge"
"pipe, conduit"
Compare Gabriel with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,562
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- French Spanish Latin American English Italian Brazilian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Latin American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gabriel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Gabriel fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Gabriel is also used as a boy name, ranked #43.
View Gabriel as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Gabriel →For Parents
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Gabriel with...
Same Origin Names (French)
See all French names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Gabriel
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Gabriel and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Gabriel sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →Latin alburnus origin
"whitish, fair"
#5,376 in US
English blend origin
"combination of cherry and beryl"
#5,377 in US
Greek via English origin
"adventure, wandering"
#5,405 in US
Hebrew origin
"God is my judge"
#5,402 in US
Latin via French origin
"pipe, conduit"
#5,388 in US
Greek origin
"dark, black"
#5,734 in US
Latin/Greek origin
"cheerful, joyful"
#5,664 in US
Old Irish origin
"ugly head (archaic literal meaning)"
#5,421 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Gabriel's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gabriel
What does the name Gabriel mean?
What is the origin of the name Gabriel?
Is Gabriel a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Gabriel?
How popular is the name Gabriel?
What are common nicknames for Gabriel?
What are good middle names for Gabriel?
What are good sibling names for Gabriel?
How many syllables does Gabriel have?
Is Gabriel a common or rare name?
What girl names are similar to Gabriel?
About the Name Gabriel
Gabriel is a girl name with French, Spanish, Latin American, English, Italian, and Brazilian origins . The name means "God is my strength" in Hebrew .
Is Gabriel a boy or girl name? Gabriel is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,562 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #43. Gabriel is more commonly used as a boy name.
Gabriel is currently ranked #5,562 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Gabriel has 3 syllables and is pronounced g-AYBR-ee-uhl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Gabriel include Gabi, Brie, Gabe, and Elle. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Gabriel include Gabriella, Gabriela, Gabrielle . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis