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Home › Baby Names Directory › Gareth

Gareth

♂ Boy

Pronounced GAR-uhth /ˈɡæɹ.əθ/Medium

Meaning: ValourMedium

In 30 seconds: Gareth is a Welsh name meaning 'valour' — courage and bravery captured in a single word.
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Origin MediumWelsh, English, Arthurian Cycle
MeaningValour
U.S. rank (2025)#2776 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births46 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,388

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619162025

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

Welsh in origin, Gareth carries the meaning of valour: bravery and gallantry. The name has a long association with chivalric storytelling through the Arthurian knight Sir Gareth, which kept it in circulation for centuries. Its meaning and its legendary connection both point in the same direction — toward courage.

The two-syllable shape, with its soft Welsh -eth ending, gives it a steady, dignified sound. It remains a recognizably Welsh choice while traveling easily into wider English-speaking use.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Gareth is 'valour', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Gareth — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Gareth Bale (1989-)
    Welsh footballer who played for Real Madrid and Wales
  • ★Gareth Southgate (1970-)
    English former footballer and England national team manager
  • ★Gareth Edwards (1947-)
    Welsh rugby union player regarded among the sport's greatest
  • ★Gareth Gates (1984-)
    English singer who rose to fame on Pop Idol

If you like Gareth…

Gary— shares the Gar- opening and is sometimes used as a short form
Zenith— shares the -th ending
Granger— a similarly popular pick
Graysen— a similarly popular pick
Truth— shares the -th ending

Explore names like Gareth

By themeenglishwelsh

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gareth mean?

Gareth is usually explained as meaning 'valour' and is most often linked with Welsh tradition.

How do you pronounce Gareth?

It's commonly said GAR-uhth /ˈɡæɹ.əθ/.

Is Gareth a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Gareth is used as a boy name.

How popular is Gareth?

In 2024, Gareth ranked #2637 in the U.S. for boys, with 50 births recorded.

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