Kevin Boy
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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 270 | |
TX | 213 | |
FL | 125 | |
NY | 123 | |
PA | 71 | |
IL | 65 | |
OH | 61 | |
NC | 60 | |
VA | 57 | |
GA | 57 | |
IN | 45 | |
WA | 45 | |
MA | 45 | |
MD | 43 | |
MI | 41 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1912 | 9 |
1913 | 9 |
1914 | 12 |
1915 | 15 |
1916 | 18 |
1917 | 19 |
1918 | 21 |
1919 | 14 |
1920 | 24 |
1921 | 84 |
1922 | 71 |
1923 | 53 |
1924 | 50 |
1925 | 61 |
1926 | 46 |
1927 | 67 |
1928 | 68 |
1929 | 75 |
1930 | 84 |
1931 | 111 |
1932 | 121 |
1933 | 132 |
1934 | 151 |
1935 | 175 |
1936 | 153 |
1937 | 178 |
1938 | 246 |
1939 | 273 |
1940 | 298 |
1941 | 418 |
1942 | 529 |
1943 | 639 |
1944 | 594 |
1945 | 689 |
1946 | 1,035 |
1947 | 1,549 |
1948 | 2,228 |
1949 | 3,292 |
1950 | 4,751 |
1951 | 6,350 |
1952 | 7,916 |
1953 | 10,011 |
1954 | 15,322 |
1955 | 17,156 |
1956 | 21,763 |
1957 | 24,286 |
1958 | 24,661 |
1959 | 26,794 |
1960 | 28,388 |
1961 | 28,919 |
1962 | 28,331 |
1963 | 30,611 |
1964 | 29,355 |
1965 | 28,183 |
1966 | 25,594 |
1967 | 24,603 |
1968 | 23,862 |
1969 | 23,555 |
1970 | 26,970 |
1971 | 24,850 |
1972 | 22,357 |
1973 | 20,771 |
1974 | 19,464 |
1975 | 18,065 |
1976 | 18,476 |
1977 | 22,461 |
1978 | 20,096 |
1979 | 18,734 |
1980 | 17,976 |
1981 | 17,456 |
1982 | 17,465 |
1983 | 17,378 |
1984 | 17,862 |
1985 | 18,813 |
1986 | 19,935 |
1987 | 20,421 |
1988 | 20,170 |
1989 | 21,209 |
1990 | 20,412 |
1991 | 20,261 |
1992 | 19,646 |
1993 | 19,082 |
1994 | 17,315 |
1995 | 15,858 |
1996 | 14,589 |
1997 | 13,294 |
1998 | 12,509 |
1999 | 12,257 |
2000 | 12,673 |
2001 | 12,595 |
2002 | 12,046 |
2003 | 11,734 |
2004 | 11,220 |
2005 | 10,917 |
2006 | 10,779 |
2007 | 10,537 |
2008 | 9,798 |
2009 | 8,780 |
2010 | 7,328 |
2011 | 6,568 |
2012 | 6,232 |
2013 | 5,945 |
2014 | 5,901 |
2015 | 5,184 |
2016 | 4,554 |
2017 | 3,833 |
2018 | 3,143 |
2019 | 2,622 |
2020 | 2,384 |
2021 | 2,109 |
2022 | 2,077 |
2023 | 1,919 |
2024 | 1,822 |