Cavan Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAV-an //ˈkæv.ən//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: Irish: 'handsome'; Gaelic: 'battle' or 'war'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cavan has its roots in the Irish language, deriving from the Gaelic "Caomhán," which means "handsome" or "beautiful." This name is thought to have originated from the Old Irish word "caomh," meaning "gentle" or "kind." The transition into English occurred as the name was anglicized, particularly during the periods of English colonization in Ireland, where many Gaelic names were adapted to fit English phonetics and spelling conventions. The name Cavan is also associated with a geographical location in Ireland, specifically County Cavan, which is believed to have been named after the Irish word "cabhan," meaning "hollow" or "a place of caves." Historically, the name Cavan can be traced back to the early medieval period in Ireland, with its usage becoming more prominent in the 12th century.
The establishment of the County Cavan in the 17th century further solidified the name's association with the region. Notably, the name is linked to various historical figures and local leaders throughout Irish history, contributing to its cultural significance.
The name also appears in various historical texts and genealogies, reflecting the lineage of families in the region. Culturally, Cavan carries connotations of beauty and gentleness, resonating with the characteristics associated with its Gaelic roots.
The name has been embraced in various forms within Irish culture, often reflecting the deep connection between personal names and the landscape or heritage of Ireland. While diminutive forms such as "Cav" may exist, the name Cavan itself stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Irish nomenclature and its historical significance.
Famous people named Cavan
In this section, you will find notable people named Cavan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cavan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cavan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Cavan Biggio is a professional baseball player best known for playing with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cavan Scott is an author best known for his work in the Star Wars franchise, including The High Republic series.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cavan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cavan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Cavan was first seen in the United States in 1969.
Cavan has ranked as high as #4279 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Cavan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cavan is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cavan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cavan.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33 | 33 |
| 2024 | 25 | 25 |
| 2023 | 30 | 30 |
| 2022 | 28 | 28 |
| 2021 | 33 | 33 |
| 2020 | 28 | 28 |
| 2019 | 41 | 41 |
| 2018 | 31 | 31 |
| 2017 | 36 | 36 |
| 2016 | 44 | 44 |
| 2015 | 43 | 43 |
| 2014 | 52 | 52 |
| 2013 | 69 | 69 |
| 2012 | 51 | 51 |
| 2011 | 52 | 52 |
| 2010 | 53 | 53 |
| 2009 | 69 | 69 |
| 2008 | 77 | 77 |
| 2007 | 64 | 64 |
| 2006 | 59 | 59 |
| 2005 | 71 | 71 |
| 2004 | 45 | 45 |
| 2003 | 60 | 60 |
| 2002 | 65 | 65 |
| 2001 | 41 | 41 |
| 2000 | 34 | 34 |
| 1999 | 36 | 36 |
| 1998 | 33 | 33 |
| 1997 | 32 | 32 |
| 1996 | 17 | 17 |
| 1995 | 14 | 14 |
| 1994 | 27 | 27 |
| 1993 | 20 | 20 |
| 1992 | 28 | 28 |
| 1991 | 12 | 12 |
| 1990 | 21 | 21 |
| 1989 | 18 | 18 |
| 1988 | 13 | 13 |
| 1987 | 14 | 14 |
| 1986 | 21 | 21 |
| 1985 | 13 | 13 |
| 1984 | 16 | 16 |
| 1983 | 15 | 15 |
| 1982 | 13 | 13 |
| 1981 | 23 | 23 |
| 1980 | 9 | 9 |
| 1979 | 11 | 11 |
| 1978 | 13 | 13 |
| 1977 | 11 | 11 |
| 1975 | 8 | 8 |
| 1974 | 11 | 11 |
| 1972 | 7 | 7 |
| 1971 | 9 | 9 |
| 1970 | 7 | 7 |
| 1969 | 8 | 8 |
Top States for Cavan (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |