An uncommon Chinese pick — distinctive and rare.
A surname.
Gao is a girl's baby name of Chinese origin, a common Chinese surname and given name meaning 'tall' or 'high' — from the Mandarin character 高, representing height, excellence, and aspiration.
In Chinese culture, Gao as a given name expresses the wish for a child to achieve great things and stand tall in the world. Its crisp, one-syllable directness gives it a modern minimalist quality that translates beautifully across cultures.
Gao has 26+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1980.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 39 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 204 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 132 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | #18451 |
| 2005 | 7 | #13483 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13215 |
| 2003 | 8 | #11678 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16178 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12228 |
| 1999 | 11 | #8417 |
| 1998 | 18 | #5654 |
| 1997 | 18 | #5478 |
| 1996 | 7 | #10964 |
| 1995 | 24 | #4259 |
| 1994 | 21 | #4737 |
| 1993 | 25 | #4143 |
| 1992 | 26 | #4002 |
| 1991 | 31 | #3472 |
| 1990 | 23 | #4282 |
| 1989 | 32 | #3279 |
| 1988 | 12 | #6400 |
| 1987 | 18 | #4530 |
| 1986 | 18 | #4416 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1980–2008) · Methodology