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Kevin Boy

Popularity: #188 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationKEV-in / /ˈkɛv.ɪn/

Irish; Latin

Meaning

Irish: 'handsome'; Latin: 'kind, gentle'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kevin has its roots in the Irish name "Caoimhín," which is derived from the Old Irish elements "caomh," meaning "gentle," "kind," or "noble," and "-ín," a diminutive suffix. This etymological development traces back to the early medieval period in Ireland, where the name was borne by several saints, most notably Saint Kevin (Caoimhín), who founded the monastery at Glendalough in the 6th century. His life and works were chronicled in various hagiographies, contributing to the name's significance in Irish culture and its spread beyond Ireland.

The name gained further prominence through the Latinized form "Caoiminus" in ecclesiastical texts, which was used in the context of the Christianization of Ireland. The name became more widely recognized in the English-speaking world through the influence of the Irish diaspora, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Anglicization of Caoimhín to Kevin facilitated its adoption in English-speaking countries, where it was embraced for its gentle connotations and historical associations with nobility and kindness.

Culturally, Kevin has been associated with various symbolic meanings, including the virtues of gentleness and kindness, which resonate with the qualities attributed to Saint Kevin. The name has also been linked to themes of leadership and spirituality, reflecting the saint's role as a monastic leader. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Kev" have emerged in colloquial usage, though they are less historically significant. Overall, Kevin's enduring legacy is tied to its rich linguistic roots and the cultural narratives surrounding its early bearers.

Trend Summary

Kevin was most popular in the United States during the 1960s to 1980s, but has seen a decline in usage since then.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Kev
  • Kenny

International Variants

  • Caoimhín (Irish)
  • Kévin (French)
  • Keven (Spanish)

Famous people named Kevin

Kevin Spacey is an actor best known for American Beauty, House of Cards, and The Usual Suspects.

Kevin Hart is a comedian and actor best known for Ride Along, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Central Intelligence.

Kevin Bacon is an actor best known for Footloose, A Few Good Men, and The Following.

Kevin Costner is an actor and filmmaker best known for Dances with Wolves, Field of Dreams, and The Bodyguard.

Kevin Durant is a professional basketball player best known for his time with the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Brooklyn Nets.

Kevin James is an actor and comedian best known for The King of Queens, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Grown Ups.

Kevin Smith is a filmmaker and actor best known for Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Kevin McHale is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Boston Celtics and his Hall of Fame career.

Kevin Garnett is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets.

Fictional characters named Kevin

Kevin McCallister is a fictional character from the film Home Alone. He is an eight-year-old boy who defends his home from burglars after being accidentally left behind by his family during Christmas vacation.

Kevin Arnold is a fictional character from the TV series The Wonder Years. He is the main protagonist who navigates the challenges of adolescence in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kevin was first seen in the United States in 1912. Kevin has ranked as high as #15 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Kevin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Kevin (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 270
16%
TX 213
12%
FL 125
7%
NY 123
7%
PA 71
4%
IL 65
4%
OH 61
4%
NC 60
3%
VA 57
3%
GA 57
3%
IN 45
3%
WA 45
3%
MA 45
3%
MD 43
3%
MI 41
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19129
19139
191412
191515
191618
191719
191821
191914
192024
192184
192271
192353
192450
192561
192646
192767
192868
192975
193084
1931111
1932121
1933132
1934151
1935175
1936153
1937178
1938246
1939273
1940298
1941418
1942529
1943639
1944594
1945689
19461,035
19471,549
19482,228
19493,292
19504,751
19516,350
19527,916
195310,011
195415,322
195517,156
195621,763
195724,286
195824,661
195926,794
196028,388
196128,919
196228,331
196330,611
196429,355
196528,183
196625,594
196724,603
196823,862
196923,555
197026,970
197124,850
197222,357
197320,771
197419,464
197518,065
197618,476
197722,461
197820,096
197918,734
198017,976
198117,456
198217,465
198317,378
198417,862
198518,813
198619,935
198720,421
198820,170
198921,209
199020,412
199120,261
199219,646
199319,082
199417,315
199515,858
199614,589
199713,294
199812,509
199912,257
200012,673
200112,595
200212,046
200311,734
200411,220
200510,917
200610,779
200710,537
20089,798
20098,780
20107,328
20116,568
20126,232
20135,945
20145,901
20155,184
20164,554
20173,833
20183,143
20192,622
20202,384
20212,109
20222,077
20231,919
20241,822