Gayle

Gayle is an English name functioning as a variant spelling of Gail, itself a short form of the Hebrew name Abigail, meaning father's joy or source of joy. The root elements are the Hebrew words ab, meaning father, and gil, meaning joy or rejoicing. The name gained popularity as an independent given name in the twentieth century, particularly in the United States, and is used for both women and men, though it is far more common for women. Abigail, Gail, and Gale are the closest related forms.