Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Gavin
BoyWelsh, Scottish· “uncertain; possibly hawk”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly hawk (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Welsh, Scottish
- Pronunciation
- GA-vihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #303
- US babies 2025
- 1,125
- Best rank
- #30 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Gavin
Gavin is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly hawk”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Welsh and Scottish roots.
Gavin is a medieval form of Gawain, the name of King Arthur's nephew and one of the Knights of the Round Table. The origin of Gawain is uncertain; it is often linked to the Welsh Gwalchmai, sometimes interpreted as "hawk of May" or "hawk of the plain", but scholars disagree. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a fourteenth-century English poem, made the character a model of courtesy and honor. Gavin survived as a Scottish name for centuries before spreading widely in the twentieth century. It sounds friendly and approachable, with a hint of chivalry.
Popularity over time
Gavin first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 70 different years, starting in 1954. Its best national rank was #30 in 2008, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 11,863 were named Gavin. In 2025, 1,125 babies were named Gavin, and it ranked #303 nationally. That is 81% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,510 in 1920, #1,408 in 1950, #444 in 1980, #85 in 2000, #38 in 2010, and #303 in 2025. Of the 189,270 US boys named Gavin since records began, 47% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 62,331 babies. Since 2010, 72,958 more have been named Gavin.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Angel, Gabriel, Isaiah, Evan, and Isaac.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gavin ranked highest in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #88 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | #123 | 12 |
| Rhode Island | #167 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | #180 | 38 |
| Delaware | #181 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Gavin is usually pronounced GA-vihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with G and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Gavin
A few middle names that flow with Gavin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gavin
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Lists that include Gavin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gavin mean?
Gavin is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly hawk”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Welsh and Scottish roots.
What is the origin of the name Gavin?
Gavin has Welsh and Scottish roots. Gavin is a medieval form of Gawain, the name of King Arthur's nephew and one of the Knights of the Round Table.
Is Gavin a popular name?
Yes. Gavin ranked #303 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Gavin a boy or girl name?
Gavin is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Gavin?
Gavin is usually pronounced GA-vihn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings