Yates Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YAYTS //jeɪts//
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: English: son of the gatekeeper; Irish: descendant of the gatekeeper
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yates has its origins in the Old English word "geat," meaning "gate" or "gatekeeper." This term evolved into the Middle English "yate," which referred to a gate or an entrance. The name likely began as a topographic surname for someone who lived near a gate or a place that was associated with a gate.
As the English language developed, the surname Yates emerged in various forms, including Yate and Yeates, before settling into its current form. It was adopted into English from the Old English during the medieval period, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which introduced a variety of influences into the English lexicon.
Historically, the name Yates can be traced back to the 13th century, with records indicating its use in England during that time. One notable mention is in the 1296 Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, where individuals with the surname Yates were recorded.
The name has also been associated with various notable figures throughout history, including members of the English gentry and nobility. The surname has appeared in various historical documents, including land grants and legal records, which further solidified its presence in English history.
Culturally, the name Yates carries connotations of strength and protection, stemming from its association with gates as points of entry and defense. This symbolic significance may have contributed to its endurance as a surname over the centuries.
In some contexts, diminutive forms such as Yate or Yeat have been used, although these are less common. Overall, Yates reflects a rich historical tapestry, connecting linguistic roots with geographical and social elements in medieval England.
Famous people named Yates
In this section, you will find notable people named Yates. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yates who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yates who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Yates is a British artist best known for his contributions to the modern art movement, particularly in the field of abstract painting.
Yates is a British author best known for his works in the fantasy genre, including the popular series that captivated young readers.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yates, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Yates. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yates was first seen in the United States in 1914.
Yates has ranked as high as #1344 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Yates has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yates is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yates was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yates (2016)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yates.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 6 |
| 1947 | 7 |
| 1944 | 7 |
| 1942 | 8 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1936 | 6 |
| 1935 | 8 |
| 1934 | 10 |
| 1933 | 8 |
| 1932 | 7 |
| 1931 | 6 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1929 | 7 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1923 | 16 |
| 1921 | 16 |
| 1920 | 14 |
| 1919 | 10 |
| 1918 | 10 |
| 1917 | 11 |
| 1916 | 8 |
| 1915 | 7 |
| 1914 | 8 |