The story behind Gareth
Of Old Welsh origin and cognate with the Welsh name Geraint (from Latin Gerontius (“old man”), from Ancient Greek γέρων (gérōn, “old man”)) or perhaps the word gwareddawg, gwaredd (“gentleness”); see gwâr (“gentle”).
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈɡæɹ.əθ/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: /ˈɡæɹ.ɪθ/
- English; dialect unspecified: /ˈɡæɹ.ɛθ/
Popularity
Gareth ranked #2776 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Gareth
Griffith
Anglicized from Welsh Gruffudd.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gwyneth
Borrowed from Welsh Gwyneth. From Gwynedd, an area of Wales, or perhaps from Welsh gwyn (“white; fair”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Goliath
Borrowed from Hebrew גָּלְיָת (golyāṯ).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Goraidh
From Old Norse Guðrøðr.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Garth
Welsh garth probably has its influence on Welsh place names.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- similar length
- same starting sound
Gaynor
A female given name from Welsh, a variant of Welsh Gaenor or Guinevere, popular in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Gareth
Bryn
From Welsh bryn (“hill, mound”), or Cumbric *brınn (“hill”) in the Greater Manchester place-name.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Caradog
From Welsh Caradog. Doublet of Caradoc, Caratacus, Cedric, Craddock, Cradock, McCarthy, and McCarty.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends G
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Garth
Welsh garth probably has its influence on Welsh place names.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends H
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Gareth
Artur
Borrowed from English Arthur, from the name of the legendary king, from Middle English Arthure, from Medieval Latin Arthurus, probably from Welsh arth, from Proto-Celtic *artos.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Arwel
From Welsh, derivation uncertain. Possibly "prominent".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Bowen
From Welsh ap Owain (“son of Owen”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length