Of Welsh origin.
The name may possibly be associated with the Welsh word “gwaredd”, meaning gentleness.
The name firstly appeared in Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur”, in 1485.
It was the best known Arthurian literature in English, about the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
One of these knights’ name is Gareth, brother of Sir Gawain.
Gareth may derive from the French name Gahariet.
Another possible association is the Welsh name “Geraint”, from the Latin “Gerontius”.
Alternative forms of the name are: Gary, Garth, Gaz, Gerens, Gar.
Famous bearers are Gareth Bale, Gareth David-Lloyd, Gareth Brooks, Gareth Barry.
Welsh footballer (soccer player) Gareth Bale is a winger for Spanish club Real Madrid.
His exceptional skills and talent brought him the world’s record transfer fee of 100 million Euros in 2013.