It might just be the area, but of the two
Gabriel's I know, neither of them go by
Gabe. I suggested it to one as a nn when he complained there was no option, and he said he'd never heard of it. I don't think it is inevitable.
Gabriel is ok, but it's not my thing.
Gabriel Thomas Gabriel AlexanderGabriel SimonGabriel LouisGabriel AsherGabriel IsaacGabriel EdwinGabriel ScottWilliam Gabriel and
John Gabriel sounds appealing too :)
Like any?