The nameGavin
Gavin is a boy's name of Welsh and Scottish origin, linked to Gawain, knight of the Round Table. It reached the American top 30 in the 2000s.
- Boy's name
- Celtic
Meaning
Gavin comes from Gawain, perhaps from the Welsh gwalch, "hawk", and gwyn, "white". Its meaning is discussed.
Origin
Celtic. Sir Gawain is the hero of the 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
History
Gavin was long a Scottish name. It rose in the United States from the 1990s, reaching the top 30.
Famous people named Gavin
- Sir Gawain, knight of the Round Table
- Gavin Newsom, politician
- Gavin Henson, rugby player
Popularity of the name Gavin
Gavin in the United States
Gavin was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 88,668 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Gavin. Its rise began around 1995, and it peaked in 2007. Half of all babies named Gavin in the United States were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,901 births a year on average, against 4,280 in the five years before.
Gavin in the United Kingdom
Gavin was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 975 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Gavin. Half of all babies named Gavin in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 29 births a year.
Gavin in Ireland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Gavin
Names from the same generation as Gavin, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Gavin? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Gavin with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Gavin side by side with the name of your choice.
Gavin in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gavin mean?
Gavin comes from Gawain, perhaps from the Welsh gwalch, "hawk", and gwyn, "white". Its meaning is discussed.
What is the origin of the name Gavin?
Celtic. Sir Gawain is the hero of the 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Is Gavin a girl's or a boy's name?
Gavin is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Gavin?
In 2024, Gavin was the 254th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,380 births.
What are the variants of the name Gavin?
Variants and related names of Gavin include Gauvain.
What are good sibling names for Gavin?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Kaylee, Mya, Gracie and Giselle for a sister, Tristan, Evan, Colin and Hayden for a brother.
Who are famous people named Gavin?
Sir Gawain, knight of the Round Table; Gavin Newsom, politician; Gavin Henson, rugby player.