Declining since 2019, #5,045 for boys today.
Popularity of Gaines since 1882
Babies named Gaines per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gaines's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 26 |
| 1900s | 19 |
| 1910s | 183 |
| 1920s | 239 |
| 1930s | 217 |
| 1940s | 202 |
| 1950s | 171 |
| 1960s | 94 |
| 1970s | 49 |
| 1980s | 50 |
| 1990s | 58 |
| 2000s | 94 |
| 2010s | 187 |
| 2020s | 118 |
Meaning & origin
Gaines is a name that has quietly persisted as a rare given name since the 1880s. Its peak year was 1896, and it has been in steady decline since 2019. In 2025, it ranked 5045th, with an incidence of 1 in 89,899 births. The name is most common in South Carolina. Derived from a surname of uncertain origin, Gaines lacks a definitive meaning, adding to its understated appeal. While it has never been widely used, it has maintained a consistent presence, particularly in the American South.
Gaines is a surname transferred to first name use. The surname likely derives from the Middle English 'gain' (profit) or from the Old French 'guain', both meaning 'gain' or 'profit'. It may also be a variant of the name 'Gains' or a locational name from a place in France called 'Gaines'. As a given name, it has been in use since the 19th century, particularly in the southern United States, and has remained uncommon.
Where Gaines is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Gains
Sibling names for Gaines
Names that share Gaines's style, for a brother or sister.
