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"
"bold, brave"
"from the Savoy region (French place name)"
"my God"
"protector of mankind"
"modern coinage with divine suffix"
"to bewilder, confuse"
"firebrand, burning sword"
"oarsman, rower"
"my God is the Lord"
"from the white settlement"
"resilient fabric, American spirit"
"cross"
"truly brave, genuinely bold"
"small dwelling, storage chest"
"oak grove"
"invented modern blend name"
"peaceful territory, land of peace"
"good valley"
"knife, cutting blade of a plow"
"by the brook"
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.