Find out how popular the first name Gates has been for the last 36 years (from 1988 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gates by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Gates is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 89% of people named Gates being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 18 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gates.

The history of the first name Gates

The name Gates is an English word that originated in the Middle Ages. It refers to an entranceway or a passage, often associated with a town or a city. The word is derived from the Old Norse word "gata," which means a road or a path.

Gates was initially used as a surname, referring to individuals who lived near or were responsible for maintaining a town's gates. However, over time, it also became a first name, particularly in English-speaking countries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of Gates as a first name dates back to the 13th century. In the historical records of the city of York, England, there is a mention of a man named Gates de Beverley, who lived in the late 1200s.

In the 16th century, the name Gates gained popularity among Puritans and Protestant reformers. They often chose biblical names or names with symbolic meanings, and Gates was seen as representing the idea of entering into a new life or a new spiritual path.

One notable figure from this era was Gates Thurston, an English Puritan minister who lived from 1587 to 1648. He was a prominent figure in the Puritan movement and played a significant role in the religious and political turmoil of the English Civil War.

In the 17th century, the name Gates was also associated with the American colonies. Gates LeGrand, born in 1655 in Virginia, was one of the earliest recorded individuals with this first name in the New World.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Gates became more widespread, particularly in the United States. One notable figure from this period was Gates Willcox, an American lawyer and politician who lived from 1785 to 1865. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.

Another prominent individual with the name Gates was Gates McGarrah, an American banker and businessman who lived from 1863 to 1944. He was the founder of the Bank of California and played a significant role in the development of the banking industry in the Western United States.

In the 20th century, the name Gates gained further recognition with individuals like Gates Brown, an American actor and musician who lived from 1939 to 2005. He is best known for his role in the movie "Clockwork Orange" and his work with the rock band Curved Air.

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 Gates was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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