Bates is a surname of English origin that is derived from the Middle English word "bate," which means "to beat or strike." It was originally given as an occupational name to someone who worked with wool, such as a fuller or a weaver.
The Bates family can trace its roots back to the 13th century in England. The name was first recorded there in the early 1200s and has since become quite common throughout Britain. In fact, according to some sources, Bates is one of the most common surnames in the United Kingdom today.
Over time, Bates has also been adopted as a given name for boys and girls alike. As a given name, it does not have its own specific meaning or origin story separate from its use as a surname. However, it can be associated with certain cultural references, such as Bates Motel from the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho.
In terms of popularity, Bates is not one of the most common names in English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, for example, there were only 14 boys named Bates born in 2019, making it a relatively rare name choice. Despite this, it remains a unique and distinctive option for parents looking for an uncommon name with English roots.
Overall, Bates is a surname of English origin that has been used as both a given name and a family name for centuries. Its meaning and history are deeply rooted in the traditions of medieval England, making it a name with a rich heritage and a distinct identity.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Bates has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest recorded birth with the name Bates was in 1919, with a total of 6 births that year. The number of births fluctuated significantly throughout the following decades:
* In the 1920s and 1930s, the number of births ranged from 5 to 8 per year.
* There was a gap in records between 1935 and 1959, with no data available for those years.
* The name Bates began to gain some traction again in the early 2000s, with 6 births recorded in both 2001 and 2011.
* Since then, there has been a consistent increase in the number of births with the name Bates:
+ 17 births were recorded in 2014,
+ 8 births each year from 2015 to 2016,
+ A peak of 10 births in 2017,
+ And a continued increase in recent years, with 11 births in 2021 and 10 births in 2023.
Overall, there have been a total of 151 births with the name Bates recorded in the United States since 1919. While it may not be one of the most popular names, its popularity has shown consistent growth over the past two decades.