Boy · 21st of 16,616
Kevin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,188,207
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1963
Peak Popularity Year
30,732
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kevin stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Kevin has Irish origins, derived from 'Caoimhín', meaning gentle or beloved. It evolved from historical forms such as Caoimhín and has become widely popular in the 20th century. The name is associated with positive traits and does not have biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛvɪn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Kevin is derived from the Irish name 'Caoimhín', which is composed of the elements 'caomh', meaning 'gentle, kind, or beloved', and the diminutive suffix '-ín'.
Meaning
gentle, kind, beloved
Language Evolution
Caoimhín, Caoimhe, Kevin
Historical Usage
Kevin gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly in the mid-1900s, and became a common name in various countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Kev, Kenny, Keven
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kevin is viewed as a classic name that conveys friendliness and approachability. It has maintained a steady level of popularity in various cultures.
Famous People
Kevin Spacey, Kevin Hart, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Durant
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 30,732 peak births in 1963
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1187th of 7545 | 573 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 344th of 6773 | 4,934 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 27th of 7552 | 312,718 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 16th of 10718 | 356,017 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 21st of 16616 | 297,872 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 35th of 24088 | 169,267 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 112th of 23106 | 41,493 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5416th of 9204 | 43 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1249th of 12526 | 1,302 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1012th of 19264 | 1,962 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1487th of 27321 | 1,562 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5148th of 35406 | 398 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 13812th of 30306 | 66 |