The name Gaston has its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically from the ancient Frankish word "gast", meaning "stranger" or "guest". It was a common name among the Franks, a Germanic tribe that settled in modern-day France, Belgium, and the Netherlands during the Migration Period of the early Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gaston can be found in the 8th century, when it was used by Gaston, Duke of Gascony, a powerful nobleman who ruled over the province of Gascony in southwestern France. The name became particularly popular in France during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

In the 12th century, Gaston de Foix, a famous French nobleman and military leader, was born. He played a significant role in the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in southern France. Another notable figure was Gaston III, Count of Foix, who lived in the 14th century and was known for his involvement in the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

During the 16th century, Gaston de Foix, Duke of Nemours, was a prominent French military commander who served under King Francis I. He was killed in battle at the age of 23 during the Italian Wars in 1512. Gaston, Duke of Orléans, born in 1608, was the youngest son of King Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici.

In the 19th century, Gaston Planté, a French physicist and inventor, was born in 1834. He is best known for developing the lead-acid battery, which revolutionized the field of electrochemistry and paved the way for modern battery technology.

While the name Gaston has its origins in the Frankish language and was particularly popular in France during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America and Latin America. However, its usage has generally remained more prevalent in French-speaking regions and among those with French ancestry.