Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Gareth is a Welsh name derived from 'Gereint,' linked to Arthurian legend. It means 'gentle' or 'gracious.' The name evolved from historical forms like Gereint and became popular in the 19th century. It carries traits of kindness and strength, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɛr.əθ/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Gareth is believed to be derived from the Welsh name 'Gereint,' which is associated with a character from Arthurian legend.
Meaning
Gentle, gracious
Language Evolution
Gereint, Gareth
Historical Usage
Gareth gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to its association with Arthurian legends and the romanticized view of knights.
Variants & Derivatives
Garrett, Garett, Garth
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Gareth is viewed as a classic yet somewhat uncommon name, often associated with kindness and strength.
Famous People
Gareth Bale, a Welsh professional footballer, Gareth Edwards, a Welsh rugby player, Gareth Pugh, an English fashion designer
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 104 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 17 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (9 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 9 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2777th of 7545 | 142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1497th of 6773 | 391 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1621st of 7552 | 443 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1529th of 10718 | 514 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1369th of 16616 | 1,002 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1943rd of 24088 | 1,033 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2104th of 23106 | 817 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
91.44% 1261st/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
67.27% 1040th/1546 |
64.20% 999th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
56.95% 1384th/2430 |
- |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
44.27% 1542nd/3483 |
- |
33.58% 1358th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
51.02% 1880th/3685 |
35.78% 1601st/4475 |
32.71% 1699th/5194 |
22.80% 1440th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
43.71% 2257th/5164 |
31.29% 2288th/7313 |
30.05% 2243rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
46.65% 2093rd/4487 |
28.99% 1978th/6822 |
30.16% 1893rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in California across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2777th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1497th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1621st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1529th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1369th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1943rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2104th out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12526th out of 12526 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.