This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

Satu, to continue ...
in reply to a message by Satu
... have you got any ideas about the origins of names like Gary, Gareth and Garrett? I'd always gone the Arthurian route, and assumed that the various versions were just the way things historically happen; then I read a brief remark in the course of something else, which suggested that certainly in the case of Garrett and probably of Gary, they might have originated from German traders, miners or whatever - in other words, that they are forms of Gerhard.My feeling is that it's more likely to have happened the other way round - that a new German neighbour in Wales three hundred years ago might say his name was Gerhard till he got a sore throat, but his new friends would hear it as Gareth or Gary or whatever and call him that.And if anyone has any information,it'll be you, for sure!Allt he best
vote up1vote down

Replies

Hi Anneza,Probably it happened both ways: Gary and Garrett being forms of both Gerard/Gerhard and Gareth.The most common way to explain the origin of the names Gary and Garrett is via Frisian forms of Gerhard: East- and West Frisian forms of Gerhard are Gerrit, Gerriet, Garrit, Gerret etc. which easily turn into Gary / Garrett in English.... hope that helps? ;)
Satu
vote up1vote down
Thanx stax!
vote up1vote down