Bate is a medieval English diminutive of Bartholomew, an ancient name of Aramaic origin meaning "son of Talmai." During the Middle Ages, Bartholomew was a popular name in England due to veneration of Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles. The shortening Bate reflects a common pattern of creating affectionate or informal nicknames from longer biblical names, often ending in a diminutive suffix. History and Usage The name Bate appears in medieval English records primarily as a given name, but over time it also became a surname. Like many medieval nicknames, it occasionally transitioned into a hereditary family name, surviving into the modern era as both a rare given name and a more common surname. The 2010 United States Census lists Bate as the 14,881st most common surname, found predominantly among White individuals (83.6%). Geographic Distribution Beyond its English origins, Bate also appears as a place name. There is a town named Bate in the Comoé Province of Burkina Faso, as well as a village called Bate in the Nova Gorica municipality of Slovenia. These toponyms likely derive from local languages rather than the English name. Variant forms of Bartholomew in other languages include Bartol (Croatian), Bartolomej (Slovak), and Bartomeu (Catalan). Notable Bearers No prominent historical figures are exclusively associated with the name Bate as a given name, though it occasionally appears in medieval English records. As a surname, it is linked to individuals in various fields, such as the English cricketer F. R. B., though specific Bearers are not listed in available sources. Meaning: Diminutive of Bartholomew, "son of Talmai" Origin: Medieval English Type: Given name (diminutive) and surname Usage: Primarily English-speaking countries; rare as a given name today