Gates
Every Gates since 1904 — 499 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gates
Gates is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,759 in 2025 with 21 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1904, 499 American babies have been named Gates — about 91% boys and 9% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2024, when 37 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gates stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gates year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 21 | #4,759 |
| 2024 | — | — | 37 | #3,238 |
| 2023 | — | — | 18 | #5,319 |
| 2022 | — | — | 12 | #6,960 |
| 2021 | — | — | 17 | #5,412 |
| 2020 | — | — | 18 | #5,100 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #7,825 |
| 2018 | — | — | 17 | #5,384 |
| 2017 | — | — | 13 | #6,434 |
| 2016 | — | — | 17 | #5,389 |
| 2015 | — | — | 12 | #6,805 |
| 2014 | — | — | 15 | #5,821 |
| 2013 | — | — | 12 | #6,748 |
| 2012 | — | — | 10 | #7,737 |
| 2011 | — | — | 13 | #6,361 |
| 2010 | — | — | 8 | #9,071 |
| 2009 | — | — | 11 | #7,369 |
| 2008 | — | — | 7 | #10,231 |
| 2007 | — | — | 10 | #7,783 |
| 2006 | — | — | 9 | #8,234 |
| 2005 | — | — | 10 | #7,298 |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,393 |
| 2003 | — | — | 7 | #8,985 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #11,269 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #15,865 | 9 | #7,020 |
| 1995 | 6 | #12,284 | 5 | #9,331 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 6 | #3,455 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Gates
- Gates McFadden Actor · b. 1949
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Gates in 2025?
Gates ranked #4,759 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 21 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gates?
499 babies have been named Gates in the United States since 1904, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gates most popular?
Gates peaked in 2024, when 37 newborns received the name.
Is Gates a boy or girl name?
Gates is used for both: about 9% of babies named Gates have been girls and 91% boys.
Is the name Gates rising or falling?
Gates is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Gates?
Well-known people named Gates include Gates McFadden (actor).