Jarvis

BoyEnglish, French· “uncertain (from Gervase)”

Meaning
uncertain (from Gervase) (origin disputed)
Origin
English, French
Pronunciation
JAR-vis
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#2,858
US babies 2025
44
Best rank
#347 (1988)
Peak year
1989

Meaning and origin of Jarvis

Jarvis is often said to mean “uncertain (from Gervase)”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and French roots.

Jarvis comes from Gervase, a name of uncertain origin brought to England by the Normans; it may derive from Germanic elements, but scholars have not settled its meaning. Jarvis developed as an English surname and later a given name. In popular culture, J.A.R.V.I.S., the AI assistant in Marvel's Iron Man stories, gave it a modern, tech-savvy image. Jarvis has a refined, slightly old-fashioned sound. Jay and Jarv are possible nicknames.

Popularity over time

02004006008001900192019401960198020002020Peak 1989: 635
US babies named Jarvis per year, 1880 to 2025

Jarvis first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 79 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #347 in 1988, and the most babies received it in 1989, when 635 were named Jarvis. In 2025, 44 babies were named Jarvis, and it ranked #2,858 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.

Its national rank moved from #1,010 in 1920, #965 in 1950, #456 in 1980, #767 in 2000, #1,193 in 2010, and #2,858 in 2025. Of the 17,720 US boys named Jarvis since records began, 27% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 3,736 babies. Since 2010, 1,851 more have been named Jarvis.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kurtis, Jarred, Kory, Jamar, and Rashad.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Jarvis ranked highest in Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas.

StateRank thereBabies
Tennessee#10945
Georgia#14325
Texas#21807

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Jarvis is usually pronounced JAR-vis, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with J and ends in “-is”.

Middle names for Jarvis

A few middle names that flow with Jarvis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Luke Boy
LOOK
“man from Lucania” · Greek
#33
Charles Boy
CHAHRLZ
“free man” · Germanic
#48
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Jarvis

Similar names

Travis Boy
TRAV-is
“toll collector at a crossing” · English
#434
Curtis Boy
KUR-tuhs
“courteous” · French
#985
Morris Boy
MAWR-ihs
“form of Maurice, 'a Moor'” · English
#1,762
Marquis Boy
mahr-KEE
“nobleman of the border” · French
#1,672
Davis Boy
DAY-vihs
“son of David” · English
#668
Harris Boy
HEH-rihs
“son of Harry” · English
#1,300
Tracy Unisex
TRAY-see
“from a French place name” · English
#2,171
Cordell Boy
kor-DEL
“cord maker” · English
#1,977
Geoffrey Boy
JEHF-ree
“uncertain; second part means 'peace'” · English
#3,599
Monty Boy
MAHN-tee
“pet form of Montgomery” · English
#1,543
Ferris Boy
FEH-rihs
“variant of Fergus, or Pierce” · Irish
#3,149
Spencer Boy
SPEN-sur
“steward, dispenser of provisions” · English
#360

Lists that include Jarvis

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Jarvis mean?

Jarvis is often said to mean “uncertain (from Gervase)”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and French roots.

What is the origin of the name Jarvis?

Jarvis has English and French roots. Jarvis comes from Gervase, a name of uncertain origin brought to England by the Normans; it may derive from Germanic elements, but scholars have not settled its meaning.

Is Jarvis a popular name?

Not especially. Jarvis ranked #2,858 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Jarvis a boy or girl name?

Jarvis is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Jarvis?

Jarvis is usually pronounced JAR-vis. 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