Explore the Family Name Gabe

The meaning of Gabe

1. German: from a short form of ancient Germanic personal name formed with geba ‘gift’. Compare Gebhardt. 2. English (Somerset, Glamorgan): from a pet form of the Middle English personal name Gabriel. 3. English: alternatively, a nickname from Middle English gab(be) ‘falsehood, deceit, gossip’. 4. Possibly also French: nickname from Old French gabe ‘joke’.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.

How common is the last name Gabe in the United States?

According to the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Gabe has experienced a shift in popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it was ranked as the 35,239th most popular surname, but by 2010, it had dropped to the 40,856th position, representing a decrease of approximately 15.94 percent. The number of individuals bearing this surname also decreased from 605 to 534 during this period, marking an 11.74 percent reduction. Accordingly, the proportion per 100,000 people declined by 18.18 percent over the ten-year span.

20002010Change
Rank#35,239#40,856-15.94%
Count605534-11.74%
Proportion per 100k0.220.18-18.18%

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Gabe

The Decennial U.S. Census data also reflects changes in the ethnic identity associated with the Gabe surname between 2000 and 2010. Among those identifying with this surname, the percentage identifying as White decreased from 82.15 to 76.22 percent, while the Black community saw a notable increase from 6.45 to 10.11 percent. Asian/Pacific Islander representation slightly declined, whereas the Hispanic community saw a moderate increase. Interestingly, those identifying as having two or more ethnic identities more than doubled from 0.99 to 2.43 percent. The American Indian and Alaskan Native group also experienced a slight increase. This data shows the diversity and change in ethnic identity among individuals carrying the Gabe surname over this decade.

20002010Change
White82.15%76.22%-7.22%
Black6.45%10.11%56.74%
American Indian and Alaskan Native4.3%4.87%13.26%
Asian/Pacific Islander3.8%3.56%-6.32%
Hispanic2.31%2.81%21.65%
Two or More Races0.99%2.43%145.45%