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Gaius

lord; an earthly man

Γάϊος Gaios

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Gaius (Greek: Γάϊος, Gaios) means “lord; an earthly man”, by traditional interpretation. Four men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Apostolic period. In 2025 it was given to 31 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears in the same passages as Alexander.

Merged person graphTIPNR + BibleData

Which Gaius?

Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.

  1. Gaius

    Apostolic · 4 verses

  2. Gaius

    Apostolic · 1 verse

  3. Gaius

    Apostolic · 1 verse

  4. Gaius

    Apostolic · 1 verse

TIPNR + BibleDataSSA · public domain

Scripture against society

The two measures, side by side

Concordance Depth Index 57.1 · rank 345
US usage today rank 3,583 · 31 births in 2025
1920 — 2025 · share per 100,000 births · +132% over ten years
TIPNR + BibleDataSTEPBible · CC BY

At a glance

Verses
5 across 4 books
Bearers
4 distinct people in scripture
Testament
New
Era
Apostolic
SSA · public domainBirths in year

Using it today

Very unlikely to share a classroom with another.
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
MeasureValueReading
Given in 2025 31 Rising
All-time total529 Since records begin in 1880
Peak 42 in 2014 Its highest year on record
Ten-year trend +132% Change in share of births
Strongest stateCA Highest share relative to births
Merged person graph5 verse pairs

In scripture

FactDetail
First appearsActs 19:29
Last appears3 John 1:1
Cross-references131 linked passages
Computed · A2/A3Rationale generated

Names connected to this one

  • Pyrrhus co-occurrence Appears with Pyrrhus in Acts 20.
  • Quartus co-occurrence Appears with Quartus in Romans 16.
  • Secundus co-occurrence Appears with Secundus in Acts 20.
  • Erastus co-occurrence Appears with Erastus in Romans 16.
  • Sopater co-occurrence Appears with Sopater in Acts 20.
  • Trophimus co-occurrence Appears with Trophimus in Acts 20.
  • Crispus co-occurrence Appears with Crispus in 1 Corinthians 1.
  • Aristarchus co-occurrence Appears with Aristarchus in Acts 20.

Origin & meaning

Strong's number G1050J
Greek Γάϊος
Transliteration Gaios

Γαῖος, -ου, ὁ (Γάϊος, Rec.),
Gaius, the name of a Christian;
__1. of Macedonia: Act.19:29.
__2. Of Derbe: Act.20:4.
__3. Of Corinth: Rom.16:23, 1Co.1:14.
__4. The one to whom in Ep. Jo is addressed: III Jo 1.
† (AS)

Gaius, the recipient of John's third epistle, was commended for his faithfulness to the truth and his hospitality to traveling missionaries.

The biblical story

Gaius is the recipient of John's third epistle, a short letter in which the apostle commends him for his faithfulness and hospitality. John addresses Gaius as a dear friend whom he loves in the truth (3Jn.1.1). He expresses his joy upon hearing that Gaius is walking in the truth and supporting the work of the gospel (3Jn.1.3-4). John specifically praises Gaius for his hospitality towards traveling missionaries, even though they were strangers to him (3Jn.1.5-8). This hospitality was essential for the spread of the gospel, as these missionaries relied on the support of believers like Gaius. John also mentions a certain Diotrephes who was causing problems in the church and refusing to welcome the missionaries (3Jn.1.9-10). In contrast, John encourages Gaius to continue doing what is good and not to imitate what is evil (3Jn.1.11). The letter to Gaius provides insight into the challenges and importance of hospitality and support within the early Christian community.

Key verses

Gaius appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:

  1. The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

    3 John 1:1
Show all 1 reference

3 John (1)

  • 3 John 1:1