Fun Facts About the Name Gaal
- 17 babies named Gaal: U.S. records list 17 babies given the name Gaal from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Gaal Mean?
Gaal is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is not settled. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as Gaʿal (גַּעַל). The explanation found most often in Bible-name dictionaries connects it to the Hebrew root g-ʿ-l (געל), "to loathe, reject, spurn," which would yield a sense such as "loathing" or "contempt." No biblical text states what the name means, so this remains a proposed derivation rather than a documented translation.
Similar-sounding Hebrew words belong to other roots and should not be merged with it: the verb gaʾal (גָּאַל), "to redeem," is spelled with an aleph rather than an ayin in the middle, and the spelling of Gaal in Judges does not point to it. Because the evidence is thin, "meaning uncertain" is the most accurate summary, with "loathing" or "contempt" recorded as a common but unverified suggestion.
The name is Hebrew in origin and belongs to the world of the Hebrew Bible and its translations; it is not a name that passed into wide use in the languages of Europe. Similar-looking family names elsewhere, such as Hungarian Gaál, a variant of Gál (from Latin Gallus), come from a different source and are not related to the biblical name.
Gaal Name History & Origins
Gaal is known almost entirely from a single biblical episode. In Judges 9, Gaal son of Ebed comes to Shechem with his brothers, wins the support of the town's leaders against Abimelech, and leads a short-lived revolt. Abimelech's officer Zebul turns against him, and Gaal is defeated and driven out of the city. The name is attached to no other figure in the Hebrew Bible, so the narrative is the whole of its early record.
The Hebrew text of Judges 9 gives the name as גַּעַל. The Greek Septuagint transliterates it as Γαάλ, and the Latin Vulgate carries it over as Gaal. English Bibles from the 16th century onward, including Tyndale's translation and the King James Version, keep the same short form, which is how the name is usually encountered in English today. Outside retellings and reference works on the Bible, it has left little trace as a personal name.
How Popular is the Name Gaal?
Gaal has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1951. Its best rank was #5,039 in 1951.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | #5,621 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1956 | #6,267 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1951 | #5,039 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with G
Short Girl Names That Start with G
How the Name Gaal Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are introspective, prophetic, philosophical, and soul searching, but also can be analytical, critical and opinionated. You think deeply and clearly, have an air of mystery, can be solitary and secretive. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Creative and outgoing, you are always looking for an opportunity to show your abilities, especially before audience. You are very flexible and like to feel appreciated. You are looking for chances to mix with others socially and to communicate your ideas. You like to talk and can easily relate to different cultures and concepts. The biggest challenge for you is uncertainty. Easily getting bored, you can move from one job to another, switch projects and lovers. The high creative force can lead you either to happiness or unhappiness. If you understand your goals, if you can make major decisions in life and follow it directly and straight up without worry and uncertainty, you are able to achieve great heights.
✦ Gaal's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Gaal's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.