gail

Gail is a feminine given name that has been in use in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century. Often used as a stand-alone name, it can also be a shortened form of Abigail, or appear as a surname in some cases. The spelling Gail is common in the United States and Britain.

Notable people named Gail include American hurdler and Olympic champion Gail Devers; journalist and author Gail Collins; comic book writer Gail Simone; actress Gail O’Grady; and journalist and author Gail Sheehy. These individuals illustrate the name’s broad usage across fields such as sports, journalism, entertainment, and literature.

GAIL, written with all capitals, refers to the Gas Authority of India Limited, a major Indian state-owned natural gas company. Established in 1984, it operates a large natural gas pipeline network, natural gas transmission and distribution, and city gas projects. GAIL also engages in petrochemicals and other energy-related activities, playing a central role in India’s energy infrastructure.

In medicine and risk assessment, the Gail model is a statistical tool used to estimate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer based on various factors including age, reproductive history, and family history. Named after its developers, the model is used in clinical settings to help guide screening and preventive choices, alongside other risk assessment methods.