Gaston is a French given name that has been popular throughout history and continues to be used today. Its origin can be traced back to the Germanic tribe of the Ostrogoths, who invaded Italy in the fifth century AD. The name Gaston is derived from the Ostrogothic king Gaiseric, whose name means "eager for battle."
The meaning of the name Gaston has evolved over time, but it generally translates to "stranger" or "guest." This derivation comes from the Germanic element "gaist" which means "stranger" or "spirit," combined with the Gothic suffix "-an." Despite its origins, Gaston is not typically associated with aggression or war-like qualities. Instead, it often evokes images of elegance and sophistication.
One of the most famous historical figures named Gaston was Gaston de Foix (1489-1512), a French nobleman who fought alongside King Francis I during the Italian Wars. Known for his bravery and military prowess, he became one of France's greatest generals at the age of just 23.
Gaston has also been popular among European royalty throughout history. Gaston d'Orléans (1608-1660) was a younger brother of King Louis XIII of France who played an important role in court politics during the seventeenth century. Another notable royal named Gaston was Prince Gaston of Wales (1779-1834), son of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Today, Gaston remains a beloved name in many French-speaking countries, as well as other parts of Europe. While it may not be as common as it once was, it continues to be chosen by parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their sons.
The name Gaston has seen a varied history of popularity over the years in the United States, with some periods showing more favor than others.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were peaks in popularity for the name Gaston. The highest number of births recorded was in 1918, with 83 babies named Gaston. This decade also saw a consistent increase in the number of births, reaching as high as 78 in 1922.
However, from the late 1920s onwards, there was a steady decline in popularity for the name Gaston. By the mid-1950s, the number of births had fallen to around 20 per year. This trend continued throughout most of the latter half of the century, with some years recording as few as 9 or 10 births.
Despite this decline, there were periods in the late 1980s and early 1990s where the popularity of the name Gaston saw a resurgence. In 1987, for example, there were 55 recorded births, which was the highest since the 1920s.
More recently, however, the name Gaston has seen another decline in popularity. The most recent data shows that in 2023, only 15 babies were named Gaston at birth. This represents a significant drop from previous years and suggests that the name may no longer be as popular as it once was.
In total, over the period from 1881 to 2023, there have been 3993 recorded births of the name Gaston in the United States. While this number is considerable, it reflects the varying popularity of the name over time.