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Home › Baby Names Directory › Bates

Bates

♂ Boy

Pronounced BAYTS /ˈbeɪts/High

Meaning: An English surname, a patronymic from Bate, a medieval short form of Bartholomew ('son of the furrow'). Familiar from Norman Bates (Psycho) and Mr Bates (Downton Abbey). A crisp surname-name.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp surname-name: Bates means 'son of Bartholomew' (said 'BAYTS'). Sharp and English.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningAn English surname, a patronymic from Bate, a medieval short form of Bartholomew ('son of the furrow'). Familiar from Norman Bates (Psycho) and Mr Bates (Downton Abbey). A crisp surname-name.
U.S. rank (2023)#7800 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 151

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201419192023

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bates is an English surname, 'son of Bartholomew' (from Bate). It reads crisp and modern as a first name, familiar from Psycho's Norman Bates and Downton's Mr Bates - very rare as a given name in the U.S. (said 'BAYTS').

It is extremely rare in the U.S.

Did you know? Bates is an English surname from Bate, a medieval nickname for Bartholomew - carried in culture by Norman Bates of Psycho and Mr Bates of Downton Abbey. We note both neutrally (said 'BAYTS').
Overall data confidence 44%
References - Bates — English surname 'son of Bartholomew' (from Bate)

Variations

BateBaitsBaytes

Nicknames

BateBatesy

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bates…

Brooks— a like -s English surname-name
Hayes— a like crisp surname-name
Banks— a like one-syllable surname-name
Barnes— lands in the same popularity range
Townes— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Bates

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bates mean?

Bates is an English surname, 'son of Bartholomew,' from Bate; known from Norman Bates and Mr Bates.

How do you pronounce Bates?

It's said BAYTS /ˈbeɪts/ - one syllable, stress on the first.

Is Bates a boy or girl name?

Bates is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Bates?

Bates is extremely rare in the U.S.

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