This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Possibly 'gentle' (from Welsh gwaredd)
- Origin
- Welsh
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- GAIR-uth
Gareth is a Welsh name for a boy, pronounced GAIR-uth. It has a classic, romantic, storybook feel. The popular reading is that it means 'gentle,' from the Welsh gwaredd, but scholars are genuinely divided: an alternate theory ties it to Geraint/Gerontius, meaning 'old man,' instead.
Meaning & Origin of Gareth
Meaning: Possibly 'gentle' (from Welsh gwaredd).
Origin: Welsh.
A common claim: Gareth means 'gentle' Actually: This is the popular reading, but scholars are genuinely divided — an alternate theory ties Gareth to Geraint/Gerontius, meaning 'old man,' instead.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Gareth
GAIR-uthIPA /ˈɡɛrəθ/
Popularity of Gareth
Gareth peaked at #1086 in 1970 (count 57) and has since slipped to #2637 in 2024 (count 50). In the U.S. Social Security data, which runs from 1916 to 2024, that makes it a rare pick today.
Names Like Gareth
These names share Gareth’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Gareth mean?
Possibly ‘gentle’ (from Welsh gwaredd). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Gareth?
Gareth is pronounced GAIR-uth (IPA: /ˈɡɛrəθ/).
Is Gareth a popular name right now?
Gareth peaked at #1086 in 1970 and is ranked #2637 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1916–2024.)
Make Gareth Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Gareth, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Gareth? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →




