Name Legacy

Gay

Recorded 1883–1982 · United States

Gay was most popular in 1959, when 692 American babies were given the name — ranking #652 that year. It was not recorded in 2025. Across 1880–2025 the Social Security Administration has recorded 19,367 people named Gay.

Most popular in1959
Rank that year#652
Births that year692
Total since 188019,367

Gay over time

18802025
Births per year. The dot marks Gay’s peak in 1959. Gaps are years the SSA suppressed, which it does for any name given to fewer than five babies.

Names that peaked alongside Gay

Where Gay is most concentrated

How much more common the name is in each state than across the country as a whole.

Explore further

See Gay on the interactive charts

Source: U.S.A. Social Security Administration. Years 1880–2025. namelegacy.org