Fun Facts About the Name Gad
- 131 babies named Gad: U.S. records list 131 babies given the name Gad from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Gad Mean?
Gad is a Hebrew name generally explained as 'fortune' or 'luck.' It comes from the Hebrew noun gad (גָּד), which has the sense of good fortune. In Genesis, Leah names her son Gad after saying ba gad (בָּא גָד), usually translated 'fortune has come' or 'what luck' (Genesis 30:11). A similar-sounding Hebrew word, gedud (גְּדוּד), means 'troop' or 'band,' and it is used in a wordplay on the tribe of Gad in Jacob's blessing: 'Gad, a troop shall overcome him' (Genesis 49:19). Because of that pun, some sources give 'troop' as the meaning, but the direct lexical link for the personal name is to gad, 'fortune.' The two Hebrew words are close in sound; whether they share a root is uncertain.
Gad Name History & Origins
The Hebrew Bible presents Gad as the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah's handmaid (Genesis 30:9 - 11). The tribe descended from him, also called Gad, settled east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead, according to Numbers 32 and Joshua 13. Another Gad is a prophet and seer in the time of King David. He advises David to return to the land of Judah (1 Samuel 22:5), announces the choice of punishment after David's census (2 Samuel 24:11 - 19), and is associated with the arranging of temple music (2 Chronicles 29:25). The name appears in the New Testament only in the list of sealed tribes (Revelation 7:5). It was rendered in Greek as Γαδ and in Latin as Gad in ancient biblical translations. In modern Hebrew the name is spelled גָּד, and it is used as a male given name. Its resemblance to the English verb 'gad,' meaning 'to roam,' is coincidental; that English word has a separate origin.
How Popular is the Name Gad?
Gad 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 2016. Its best rank was #6,380 in 1987.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,474 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2023 | #11,277 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2022 | #9,262 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #12,746 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #11,050 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #12,775 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #10,014 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #10,049 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2016 | #7,778 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2015 | #8,262 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2014 | #12,676 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #9,137 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #9,980 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2010 | #12,898 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #13,173 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2007 | #12,977 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2005 | #9,443 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #9,778 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #9,291 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #6,380 | 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.
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How the Name Gad 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.
✦ Gad's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Gad's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.