Find out how popular the first name Gaius has been for the last 41 years (from 1983 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gaius by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Gaius is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 17 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gaius.

The history of the first name Gaius

The name Gaius has its origins in ancient Rome, dating back to the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. It is derived from the Latin word "gaudere," which means "to rejoice" or "to be glad." The name was commonly used among Roman citizens and was frequently found in historical records and inscriptions from the time.

One of the earliest and most notable historical references to the name Gaius is in the writings of the ancient Roman philosopher, statesman, and orator Cicero, who lived from 106 BC to 43 BC. Cicero mentions several individuals named Gaius in his works, including Gaius Cassius Longinus, a Roman politician and one of the assassins of Julius Caesar.

The name Gaius was also prominent in the early Christian era. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, a Roman historian who lived from around 70 AD to 122 AD. He is best known for his work "De Vita Caesarum" (The Lives of the Caesars), a collection of biographies of the first twelve Roman emperors.

Another significant historical figure with the name Gaius was Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known as Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and naturalist who lived from 23 AD to 79 AD. He is renowned for his encyclopedic work "Naturalis Historia" (Natural History), which covered a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, geography, anthropology, and zoology.

In the realm of Roman law, Gaius was the name of a prominent Roman jurist who lived in the 2nd century AD. His work, known as the "Institutiones" (Institutes), was a highly influential legal text that served as a foundation for Roman law and has had a lasting impact on legal systems throughout the world.

Another notable individual with the name Gaius was Gaius Valerius Catullus, a Roman poet who lived from around 84 BC to 54 BC. He is best known for his lyric poems, which were considered among the finest in Latin literature and had a significant influence on later poets.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Gaius, a name with deep roots in ancient Roman culture and a rich historical legacy.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gaius was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gaius, please contact us.

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