Gaetan is a name of French origin, derived from the Latin "Gaius," which means "rejoice" or "happy." It is often spelled Gauvin or Gaétan in French, and has been popularized by figures such as Saint Gaétan of Thiene, an Italian layman who became known for his charity work during the Renaissance period. The name Gaetan is a strong yet approachable choice for a boy's name, with a historic and international heritage that spans centuries and continents.
The name Gaetan experienced a resurgence in popularity from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, with a peak of 9 births in 2002.