Gaines
Gaines is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ingenuity, cleverness, or trickery.
Origin and history
Gaines is a traditional surname turned given name of English origin, derived from an Old French nickname meaning 'ingenuity', 'cleverness', or 'trickery'. Historically used as an occupational or descriptive surname, it transitioned into a rare masculine given name in the United States. It remains a distinct, infrequently used choice that appeals to parents looking for a classic surname-style name.
Popularity in the United States
1,717 babies in the United States have been named Gaines since 1880. It ranks #3072 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1809.
States where it is most popular
- AL (65.3 %)
- GA (11.6 %)
- TN (8.9 %)
- TX (6.2 %)
- MS (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10 |
| 1890-1900 | 26 |
| 1900-1910 | 19 |
| 1910-1920 | 183 |
| 1920-1930 | 239 |
| 1930-1940 | 217 |
| 1940-1950 | 202 |
| 1950-1960 | 171 |
| 1960-1970 | 94 |
| 1970-1980 | 49 |
| 1980-1990 | 50 |
| 1990-2000 | 58 |
| 2000-2010 | 94 |
| 2010-2019 | 187 |
| 2020-2029 | 118 |
Famous people named Gaines
- Gaines Adams: Athlete, American football player
Fun facts
- It originated as an Anglo-Norman nickname for a resourceful or clever person, from the Old French word 'gagne'.
- Gaines has maintained a steady but rare presence in the U.S. birth registry, with around 1,700 total male births recorded since 1880.