Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Irvin is an Old English name derived from 'Eorfa', meaning 'sea friend'. It evolved through various forms over centuries. The name's traits include reliability and tradition, and it has no direct biblical relevance. Its popularity surged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with notable figures bearing the name contributing to its recognition.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɪr.vɪn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Irvin is derived from the Old English personal name 'Eorfa', which may have originated from the word for 'green' or 'fresh', possibly referring to a place or a person associated with greenery.
Meaning
sea friend
Language Evolution
Eorfa, Irvinus, Irwin
Historical Usage
Irvin gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, often as a variant of Irwin.
Variants & Derivatives
Irwin, Ervin, Irving
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Irvin is perceived as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with reliability and tradition.
Famous People
Irvin D. Yalom, Irvin Kershner, Irvin S. Cobb
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 826 peak births in 1923
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Maryland
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (5 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 5 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 180th of 7545 | 12,061 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 261st of 6773 | 8,487 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 419th of 7552 | 6,137 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 707th of 10718 | 2,152 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 669th of 16616 | 3,448 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 707th of 24088 | 4,614 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1598th of 23106 | 1,264 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5618th of 9107 | 37 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6926th of 9204 | 18 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10161st of 12526 | 14 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 25632nd of 27321 | 6 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
10.73% 152nd/1416 |
13.34% 184th/1379 |
8.54% 202nd/2366 |
19.70% 225th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
14.23% 220th/1546 |
14.01% 218th/1556 |
11.01% 259th/2353 |
21.98% 340th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
18.59% 414th/2227 |
15.68% 381st/2430 |
13.46% 384th/2853 |
19.53% 542nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
27.10% 796th/2937 |
16.71% 582nd/3483 |
17.62% 620th/3518 |
24.28% 982nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
31.40% 1157th/3685 |
14.70% 658th/4475 |
13.71% 712th/5194 |
7.42% 469th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
25.95% 1189th/4582 |
19.91% 1028th/5164 |
9.94% 727th/7313 |
6.82% 509th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
64.48% 2569th/3984 |
52.55% 2358th/4487 |
22.37% 1526th/6822 |
17.97% 1128th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Maryland across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 180th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 261st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 419th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 707th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 669th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 707th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1598th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5618th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6926th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 10161st out of 12526 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 25632nd out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.