Gaelle

Gaelle, often written Gaëlle in French, is a feminine given name used mainly in French-speaking communities. It is the feminine form of Gaël, a name associated with the Gaelic and Celtic heritage of Brittany and the broader Gaelic world. The precise meaning is not fixed in modern usage, but the name commonly evokes Celtic roots within Francophone naming traditions.

Geographically, Gaelle is most common in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, with the diaeresis on the second e serving to indicate two syllables in French. In non-French contexts the name is frequently rendered without the diacritic as Gaelle. The French pronunciation is roughly gah-EL, with the stress on the second syllable; anglicized pronunciations vary by language.

Popularity has fluctuated since the late 20th century, peaking in the 1980s and 1990s in many Francophone regions. Today the name remains in use, though it is less dominant than during its peak years.

Related forms include Gaël (the masculine form) and other culturally influenced spellings, with the name appearing in literature and media in Francophone contexts.