Gawain

guh-WAYN

Welsh

"May hawk"

Gawain Origin and Meaning

The name Gawain is a boy's name of Welsh origin meaning "May hawk".

With a noble air and a distinctive yet familiar sound, Gawain is drawn from Arthurian legend, in which he is one of King Arthur's loyal knights and his nephew. Also appearing as the hero of the 14th century poem, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, his name is possibly borrowed from the Welsh Gwalchmai, meaning "May hawk".

While similar names such as Wayne, Owen, and Gwen are familiar choices, Gawain has long been superseded by its Scottish form, Gavin. In fact, since records began in the 1880s, only 85 boys have ever been called Gawain in the US.

Popularity of the name Gawain

• 1840 Nameberry 2025

20 Names Similar to Gawain

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Gawain.

• Aurelien
• Taliesin
• Corentin
• Emilian
• Cassander
• Nicander
• Severin
• Caradoc
• Leandre
• Audric
• Cecilio
• Elwyn
• Llywelyn
• Marceau
• Caedmon
• Sylvanus
• Edwyn
• Salvator
• Alric
• Theron

Famous People Named Gawain

• Gawain Erland Cooper Scottish folk musician of Erland and the Carnival
• Gawain Vincent British handball player
• Gawain Christopher B. Jones English chess champion
• Gawain Westray Bell British Governor of Northern Nigeria

The name Gawain in Pop Culture

• Pronounced ga WAYNE