National Gabriel Day is an unofficial holiday set on April 26 to celebrate and honor all the Gabriels out there. There are so many great Gabriels out there to celebrate and you could be one of them! While this name is strongly related to religion, many non-religious people choose this name for their children. So, if your name is Gabriel, take yourself out on a date and enjoy your own company. If you know a Gabriel, spend the day doing their favorite thing with them.
History of National Gabriel Day
‘Gabriel’ is a Hebrew name meaning ‘God is my strength.’ This strong and underrated name was uncommon in the twentieth century. It soared during the 2000s and made to the 50 boy names on the Social Security Administration’s list. The name Gabriel floated to the top 30 between 2005 and 2016 and has since stayed one of the most famous boy names internationally. This is a great choice for those wanting a strong name for their child that isn’t boring or overused.Gabriel is currently number 490 in the Top 1,000 most common names in the U.S. with 113,607 people given this name. This name is used as a male’s name 98% and as a first name 80% of the time. Nearly 60% of Americans given this name are Hispanic and about 32% are white. This name is popular in the U.S., the U.K., Scotland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. The feminine versions ‘Gabrielle’ and ‘Gabriella’ is just as popular. Its most common nickname is ‘Gabe’ for a boy and ‘Gabby’ for a girl. The name also has many variations throughout the world, the most common being ‘Jebreel’ in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Indonesian, and Somali. It can be pronounced as ‘Gay-bree-uhl’ or ‘Gah-bree-elle,’ the latter pronunciation being more popular in Hebrew and Spanish.The name Gabriel has a very strong religious association as the archangel, St. Gabriel, is a major figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is known for having visited the Virgin Mary, informing her of her virgin birth and telling her that she will bear the son of God. He is also known in Islam for visiting Prophet Muhammed and revealing the “Quran” to him.
National Gabriel Day timeline
The archangel Gabriel, informs Mary that she will become the mother of Jesus Christ through a virgin birth.
Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau assists in drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen which illustrated the values of the French Revolution.
The book “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is published, — one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s most famous works.
The comedian Gabriel Iglesias produced and hosted his stand-up TV series.
National Gabriel Day FAQs
Is Gabriel a good name?
It’s a great name for those wanting a religious name or non-religious people wanting a strong name outside the top 10.
What names are similar to Gabriel?
There are many similar names that are international and common in many religions, such as Samuel, Isaac, Elijah, Joseph, Alexander, Caleb, and Zachary.
Is Gabby a unisex name?
The name Gabby comes from the French name Gabrielle. While it’s mostly feminine, it can also be a gender-neutral name.
National Gabriel Day Activities
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Honor your favorite Gabriel
Take some time to honor famous Gabriels. Celebrate in your now way, whether you want to read one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s masterpieces or watch one of Gabriel Byrne’s movies.
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Take Gabriel out
If you know a Gabriel in your life, take them out for a fun day! The objective is to let them know you care about them.
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Celebrate yourself
Are you a Gabriel? If so, spend the day appreciating yourself. Go out for the day or spend some me-time at home.
5 Interesting Facts About The Name Gabriel
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Some only use ‘Gabe’
Fewer than 100 people a year choose to simply name their children ‘Gabe’ instead of ‘Gabriel,’ a bold and unusual choice.
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It can be a girl’s name
While some masculine names are hard to bend, this one is not, less than 2% of girls in the U.S. were given the name ‘Gabriel’ instead of its feminine alternatives.
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It’s also used as a last name
Gabriel is an ancient last name from Normandy, a region of France.
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It has good influence
Gabriel Oak from Thomas Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd” is a great character for your little Gabriel to look up to.
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There are some creative nickname options
If you want some variations from Gabe, consider Abe, Gabri, Briel, or Fluffy, as Gabriel Iglesias calls himself.
Why We Love National Gabriel Day
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There are many Gabriels to honor
From the French composer Gabriel Fauré to Gabriel Voisin who invented the first heavier-than-air aircraft in Europe, there are many greats among the Gabriels. Let's take this day to honor them.
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It’s a great name
Gabriel is a very strong name. It has a long history without being dated and has stayed in the top 100 for a long time without being too trendy.
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It’s your chance to thank a Gabriel
Whether you want to make an Instagram post to remind people of the works of your favorite Gabriel or you want to appreciate the Gabriels in your life, this is your chance. Show them how much they mean to you.
National Gabriel Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 26 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 26 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 26 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 26 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 26 | Monday |
