Gatlin—born of an English surname that likely traces back to the Old English gaedling, meaning “companion” or “kinsman”—carries the sturdy feel of camaraderie wherever it travels. In modern times the name crossed the Atlantic, picked up a touch of country-music twang from the legendary Gatlin Brothers, and even borrowed a dash of high-octane swagger from inventor Richard Gatling’s rapid-fire gun; small wonder many parents hear both harmony and horsepower in its two crisp syllables. American charts show a steady drizzle of interest turning into a gentle monsoon: from just five boys in the early ’80s to over three hundred newborns in 2023, Gatlin is inching upward without losing its sense of down-home charm. Spoken aloud—GAT-lin—it lands with the confident beat of a tabla, short yet spirited, making it easy for grandparents to pronounce and toddlers to shout across a playground. All told, Gatlin offers a friendly blend of old-world roots and new-world verve, as warm as a cup of masala chai on a cool Bangalore evening.
| Gatlin Teye O'Donkor is an English forward for Oxford United in the EFL Championship. |