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"
"bent grass clearing"
"little rock"
"wealthy friend, divine wealth"
"strong wolf, wolf valor"
"from the fortress"
"modern variant combining Arabic root with contemporary spelling"
"guardian, watchman"
"short form of Cameron or Camden"
"dealer, trader"
"harmonious regularity"
"handsome, beautiful"
"great, rocky hill"
"strong warrior-man"
"one of the Franks (a Germanic tribe)"
"land by the road"
"modern American coinage"
"God has given (via Nathan blend)"
"farm on a hill, settlement by a mound"
"steward, estate guardian"
"dark one, little dark-haired one"
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.