Gawain

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Gawain

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Gawain is the Norman French form of a Welsh name, Gwalchmai, or Gwalchgwyn meaning “May Hawk” from “gwalch” (hawk) and “Mei” (May) or “White Hawk” from “gwalch” (hawk) and “gwyn” (white). (Gwalchmei was the name of a Celtic sun god).
-or-
It is also possible (according to The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names) that Gawain comes from the Germanic name Gawin, from the 7th century Germanic name Gavja, meaning “A district of Land.”

History:
Gawain was first noted in the French adaptations of the Celtic Arthurian legends (as in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight). It was fairly common in the Middle Ages, but had died out by the 16th century (except in Scotland as Gavin). During the 20th century, Gawain (but especially Gavin) has been revived.

Pronunciation: gah-wain.

Alternates: Gawayne, Gaven, Gavyn, Gwayne.
Cornish: Gawen.
French: Gavvain.
Latin: Walganus, Walgainus, Gavinus, Gavienus, Galvaginus.
Scottish: Gavin.

See also: Gavin.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Gwalchmai ap Meilyr (12th century)
Welsh poet.
Gawain Douglas (1474-1522)
English poet.

Fictional Characters:
Sir Gawain
A knight of the round table who fought the Green Knight. A nephew of Arthur.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.010 % named Gavin
less than 0.004 % named Gawain