The baby name Gawain is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈɡɔːwən/ (GAW-en),/ɡəˈweɪn/ (guh-WAYN).
Gawain is Welsh in Origin.
The baby name Gawain is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈɡɔːwən/ (GAW-en),/ɡəˈweɪn/ (guh-WAYN).
Gawain is Welsh in Origin.
Rooted in medieval Welsh tradition, Gawain is the Anglicized form of Welsh Gwalchmei, carried into Norman French as Gauvain and into Middle English via Arthurian romance. Scholars link gwalch “hawk” with an uncertain second element - often read as “May” (yielding “hawk of May”), but also proposed as a personal name or a place-name connection to Gwalchmai on Anglesey. Latinized medieval records show forms such as Walwen and Walganus.
Usage flourished across Europe through the Matter of Britain: the courteous nephew of King Arthur in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight anchored the name’s chivalric aura. Variants include Gauvain (French), Gawan (German), Walewein (Dutch), Galvano (Italian), Galván (Spanish), Galvão (Portuguese), and Welsh Gwalchmei; English spellings Gawen and Gawayne also occur. Rare in modern registers, Gawain enjoys periodic literary revival, appealing for its storied lineage and gallant, nature-tinged meaning.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Boys | 0 | #252 | 2 | 6,830 |
| TW | Boys | 0 | #254 | 3 | 7,111 |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #263 | 10 | 6,876 |
| SG | 0 | #281 | 2 | 11,010 | |
| CZ | Boys | 0 | #305 | 1 | 6,530 |
| CN | Boys | 0 | #329 | 3 | 9,639 |
| ZA | 0 | #472 | 3 | 14,421 | |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #553 | 5 | 12,905 |
| IR | Boys | 0 | #565 | 1 | 10,162 |
| LB | 0 | #690 | 1 | 13,263 | |
| IQ | Boys | 0 | #697 | 1 | 13,071 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #734 | 6 | 17,960 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #785 | 1 | 12,213 |
| United States | Boys | 2023 | #893 | 6 | 7,053 |
| MX | Boys | 0 | #1,032 | 2 | 16,355 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,143 | 1 | 22,615 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,266 | 7 | 25,619 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,690 | 2 | 28,008 |
Gawain is popular in 16 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!