Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Gawain

Gawain

♂ Boy

Pronounced GAH-wayn /ˈɡɑː.weɪn/Medium

Meaning: An Arthurian name — Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table and hero of 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.' Of Welsh origin (Gwalchmai), sometimes read as 'hawk of May'; a chivalric, legend-rich pick.Low

In 30 seconds: A two-beat name: Gawain — an Arthurian knight's name (Welsh) (said 'GAH-wayn'). An Arthurian knight's name, which we note.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowWelsh
MeaningAn Arthurian name — Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table and hero of 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.' Of Welsh origin (Gwalchmai), sometimes read as 'hawk of May'; a chivalric, legend-rich pick.
U.S. rank (2023)#11284 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1974
Total births (all-time)≈ 85

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197419482023

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

Gawain is an Arthurian name, Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table; a chivalric, legend-rich name (said 'GAH-wayn').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, Arthurian, and chivalric.

Did you know? Gawain is a knight of King Arthur's Round Table — hero of 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' — of Welsh origin, sometimes read as 'hawk of May' (said 'GAH-wayn').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Gawain — Arthurian/Welsh; Sir Gawain; possibly 'hawk of May'

Variations

GawaineGavin

Nicknames

Gaw

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Gawain…

Gareth— a like Arthurian knight-name
Tristan— a like Arthurian knight-name
Percival— a like Round Table name
Lancelot— a like Round Table name

Explore names like Gawain

By themewelshlegendaryarthurian

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gawain mean?

Gawain is an Arthurian name — Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table; of Welsh origin, sometimes read as 'hawk of May.'

How do you pronounce Gawain?

It's said GAH-wayn /ˈɡɑː.weɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gawain a boy or girl name?

Here Gawain is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Gawain?

Gawain is extremely rare in the U.S. — a deep-tail, newly emerging name.

💬 Ask Nia