Gates sits next to 4 phonetic neighbors — Gale, Gaines, and Bates are the closest matches by sound. Most share Gates's English-origin cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"dweller by the gates"
"just, righteous"
"firebrand, burning sword"
"son of Adam"
"warrior of life"
"homeland person"
"military commander"
"son of Hugh"
"pilgrim, traveler, wanderer"
"the white one, fair"
"to bewilder, confuse"
"lord of the border territories"
"God is expectant, awaiting God"
"occupational name for a blacksmith or farmer"
"short nose"
"lake dweller, one from the lake"
"geographic name (Rakai District, Uganda)"
"handsome, well-born"
"from the heathland"
"victory of the people"
"Spanish form of Jerome"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Gates — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have English origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Gates.
Rhythm: Gates is a 1-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.