Gareth

The name Gareth was adopted from the English-speaking world in the 1970s and is particularly popular in Wales. The exact origin of the name is disputed and has not yet been definitively clarified; however, it is believed to be found in Celtic or Welsh.

What does the name Gareth mean?

Gareth is often interpreted as the Gentle, the Friendly, the Kind-hearted, or the Good. These meanings derive from the Old Welsh term gwaredd, which stands for kindness, goodness, and amiability. Additionally, there is a connection to Geraint, a Welsh variant of Gerontius, meaning 'the old man'. This derivation comes from the Ancient Greek word géro̱n (γέρων), which means 'old man' or 'elder'. There may also be links to Old Welsh expressions like gwrhyt or gwrhyd, meaning 'the worth', as well as gweorydd, which means 'the lord of hay', or gwaraidd, which stands for 'civilized'. In Arthurian legend, Gareth was one of the Knights of the Round Table, distinguished by humility, decency, and courage.

Where does the name Gareth come from?

Gareth is a male name of Old Welsh origin, carrying the meaning 'the Gentle'. The name is composed of the Old Welsh word gwaredd for kindness, goodness, and amiability, or from gwrhyt or gwrhyd, meaning 'the worth'. Relevant terms also include gweorydd, 'the lord of hay', and gwaraidd, which means 'civilized'. The name also shows a derivation from Geraint, whose Ancient Greek equivalent géro̱n (γέρων) means 'old man' or 'elder'. The languages in which the name appears are English and Welsh.

How do you pronounce Gareth?

The pronunciation of Gareth is two syllables and has a slightly elongated structure. In German pronunciation, it is usually rendered as 'Ga-reth' [ˈɡaːʁɛθ] or simplified as [ˈɡaːʁɛt]. The name begins openly and ends distinctly, with the 'th' giving the sound a slightly rough, foreign note. This gives Gareth a characterful and distinctive impression – calm, striking, and British-influenced.

Popularity

In Germany, Gareth is a rather rare name. In 2018, it ranked 3,918th on the list of the most common male baby names. Its best placement was in 2017, at 3,867th. Over the last ten years, Gareth has been given as a first name about 20 times, which places it at 5,888th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 7,040th.

Nicknames & pet names

Gary

Famous people

• Gareth Abraham (British footballer)
• Gareth Andrews (football player from Australia)
• Gareth Bale (football player for Tottenham Hotspur)
• Gareth Batty (English cricketer)
• Gareth Bretherton (musical performer (Starlight Express, Swing))
• Gareth David-Lloyd (actor)
• Gareth Davies (British cricketer)
• Gareth Davies (American film producer)
• Gareth Dean (rugby player from Great Britain)
• Gareth Denman (rugby player from Great Britain)
• Gareth Dobson (rugby player)
• Gareth Ellis (rugby player from England)
• Gareth Ellis-Unwin (film producer from England)
• Gareth Evans (film director from Great Britain)
• Gareth Fient (English film director)
• Gareth Gates (singer)
• Gareth Grant (English football player)
• Gareth Hock (English rugby player)
• Gareth Hunt (actor from England)
• Gareth Milton (British actor)