The name Vail is of American origin and is generally considered to be a surname rather than a given name. It is derived from the Old Norse word "veil" which means "shirt". The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066, but it was not until the 18th century that the name began to be used as a first name.
There are several theories about how Vail became associated with the town of Vail, Colorado. One theory suggests that the town was named after the Vail family who were early settlers in the area. Another theory suggests that the town was named after the Vail Pass which is located nearby and was an important route for early settlers traveling westward.
The name Vail has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history, including:
* Henry Vail, a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament from 1847 to 1852.
* John W. Vail, an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Vail Corporation in 1930.
* Earl Vail, an American composer known for his works such as "Prelude No. 3" and "Concerto for Piano No. 2".
Overall, the name Vail has a rich history and is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. While it may not be one of the most common names, its unique sound and American origins make it a distinctive choice for a given name.
The name Vail experienced a notable surge in popularity between 2015 and 2018, with over twice the number of births recorded during those years compared to any other period listed. However, there's also significant variation from year to year; for instance, while 48 babies were named Vail in both 2015 and 2016, this dropped to 35 in 2017 before rising again to 53 in 2018. More recently, the number of births has been decreasing, with only 21 births recorded in 2022 and 12 in 2023. Overall, a total of 388 babies were named Vail between 1952 and 2023.