Gabrielle Name Meaning

Gabrielle is the French feminine form of the name Gabriel. It means “God is my strength.” Some people also interpret it to mean “Woman of God.” The name from which it’s derived, Gabriel is a biblical name that also means “God is my strength.” In the bible story, Gabriel was one of the seven archangels who came to Mary to give her news of her divine pregnancy. For many people, since Gabriel is considered one of God’s heroes, Gabrielle is also viewed as being a sort of heroine of God. 

If you are a religious person, Gabrielle can be a great way to acknowledge your faith when naming your little bundle of joy. It’s not an on-the-nose biblical name, but one whose meaning connects deeply with your religion. 

How Popular Is the Name Gabrielle? 

Gabrielle is an old name and has been used across regions in Europe for centuries. Gabrielle became popular in the United States in the latter part of the 20th century. It’s a classic name and one of its variations is always in style.

According to 2020 data from Social Security Administration, Gabrielle is currently the 359th most popular name for girls in the United States. The peak popularity for the name Gabrielle was in 1999, when the name rose to No. 46 in the U.S.

Use of the name has since dipped in popularity and its Italian variation Gabriella seems to have garnered more popularity in recent times. Some people suggest that the surge in popularity in the '90s was a result of the discovery that the fashion icon Coco Chanel was born with the name. 

Name Variations 

Gabrielle has many variations, the most popular being its male equivalent Gabriel. However, other feminine variations of the name include: 

• Gabi (Hungarian)
• Gabriela (Bulgarian, German)
• Gabriella (Hungarian)
• Gabriele (German)
• Gabrielle (Dutch)
• Gabrijela (Croatian)
• Gavrilla (Romanian)

Similar Names

If you like the name Gabrielle and are looking for other names that are different but have the same feel, the following baby names may feel right:

• Adrielle 
• Arielle
• Brielle 
• Danielle 
• Gabryle
• Gavril
• Graciela 
• Isabelle 

Common Nicknames

Gabrielle is a pretty versatile name and many nicknames can be formed from it. The most popular nicknames for Gabrielle include: 

• Bella 
• Brie
• Briella
• Brielle 
• Elle
• Ellie 
• Gab
• Gabby
• Gabs

Suggested Sibling Names 

If you’d like for your children to have names that feel similar to Gabrielle, here are some possible names to pair with it: 

• Benjamin 
• Caleb
• Daniel 
• Elijah
• Emily 
• Evelyn 
• Gabriel 
• Hannah
• Isabelle 
• Madison 

Famous People Named Gabrielle  

Many notable women bear the name Gabrielle and other variations of the name. One of the most intriguing women named Gabrielle is Coco Chanel. Before changing it, Coco Chanel’s birth name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel. The fashion icon changed her name to Coco when she was trying to make it as a cabaret performer.

More Famous Gabrielles

• Gabrielle, English singer who considers the name Gabrielle to be strong and distinct enough to only be identified by it as her stage name
• Gabrielle Anwar, English actress 
• Gabrielle Union, American actress 
• Gabrielle Douglas, American gymnast and Olympian 

Fictional Gabrielles

• Gabrielle, character in the television series "Xena: Warrior Princess"
• Gabrielle Delacour, the sister of Fleur Delacour in the "Harry Potter" series 
• Gabrielle Solis, a character in the hit series "Desperate Housewives" played by Eva Longoria