Find out how popular the first name Gawain has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gawain by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gawain is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gawain.

The history of the first name Gawain

The name Gawain has its origins in the medieval romance tradition of Britain and France, particularly in the Arthurian legends. It is believed to be derived from the Welsh word "gwalchmei" or "gwalchmai," which means "hawk of battle" or "hawk of May."

The earliest known appearance of the name Gawain is in the 12th-century French romance "Perceval, the Story of the Grail" by Chrétien de Troyes. In this work, Gawain is portrayed as one of the principal knights of King Arthur's Round Table, renowned for his courtesy, chivalry, and bravery.

The name gained further prominence in the 14th-century Middle English poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," which tells the story of Gawain's encounter with a mysterious green-hued knight and his quest to uphold the ideals of knighthood. This work is considered a masterpiece of medieval English literature and has had a significant influence on subsequent literary works and popular culture.

One of the most famous historical figures bearing the name Gawain was Sir Gawain, a nephew of King Arthur in the Arthurian legends. Although he is a fictional character, his exploits and adventures have been widely depicted in various literary works, including the aforementioned texts, as well as in visual arts and other media.

Another notable figure with the name Gawain was Gawain Douglas (c. 1474-1522), a Scottish poet and translator who is best known for his poetic translation of Virgil's "Aeneid" into Middle Scots. His work played a significant role in the development of Scottish literature and the promotion of the Scots language.

In the 19th century, the name Gawain was used by the English writer and philosopher Thomas Love Peacock (1785-1866) for one of the characters in his novel "The Misfortunes of Elphin." This work drew inspiration from Welsh mythology and helped revive interest in the Arthurian legends during the Romantic period.

The name Gawain has also been used in various works of fiction, such as the novel "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White (1958), which reimagines the Arthurian legends, and the fantasy novel series "The Chronicles of Prydain" by Lloyd Alexander (1964-1968), which draws inspiration from Welsh mythology.

While the name Gawain is not as common today as it once was, it continues to hold a significant place in literary and cultural traditions, particularly those associated with the Arthurian legends and medieval romance.

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

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

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