Gawain is an ancient Welsh male given name, derived from the medieval Arthurian hero of the same name. It means 'white' or 'fair', possibly referring to appearance or purity. The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages due to its association with the chivalrous knight Gawain, a nephew of King Arthur and one of his most trusted companions in the tales of Camelot.
The name Gawain has seen fluctuating popularity over the decades, with peaks of 10 births in 1974 and 6 births in both 1969 and 2023. However, it's clear that its usage has generally declined since the 1970s, with most years seeing five or fewer newborns named Gawain.