Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kevin
BoyIrish· “gentle, handsome birth”
- Meaning
- gentle, handsome birth
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEH-vihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #221
- US babies 2025
- 1,628
- Best rank
- #11 (1963)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Kevin
Kevin is an Irish name that means “gentle, handsome birth”.
Kevin is an anglicized form of the Irish Caoimhín, from caomh, "kind", "gentle" or "handsome", and gein, "birth". Saint Kevin founded a famous monastery at Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains in the sixth century, and legends describe his gentleness toward animals, including a blackbird said to have nested in his outstretched hand. The name remained mostly Irish until the twentieth century, when it spread widely across the English-speaking world and continental Europe. It feels friendly and relaxed. Kev is the common nickname.
Popularity over time
Kevin first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 104 different years, starting in 1921. Its best national rank was #11 in 1963, the same year it reached its highest count of 30,613 babies. In 2025, 1,628 babies were named Kevin, and it ranked #221 nationally. That is 69% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,572 in 1920, #73 in 1950, #23 in 1980, #32 in 2000, #59 in 2010, and #221 in 2025. Of the 1,184,507 US boys named Kevin since records began, 23% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 212,231 babies. Since 2010, 63,264 more have been named Kevin.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jeffrey, Gregory, Todd, and Patrick.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kevin ranked highest in Vermont, Maryland, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #93 | 6 |
| Maryland | #117 | 50 |
| Florida | #173 | 128 |
| Massachusetts | #175 | 39 |
| Texas | #178 | 209 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kevin is usually pronounced KEH-vihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Kevin
A few middle names that flow with Kevin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kevin
Similar names
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Lists that include Kevin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kevin mean?
Kevin is an Irish name that means “gentle, handsome birth”.
What is the origin of the name Kevin?
Kevin has Irish roots. Kevin is an anglicized form of the Irish Caoimhín, from caomh, "kind", "gentle" or "handsome", and gein, "birth".
Is Kevin a popular name?
Yes. Kevin ranked #221 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kevin a boy or girl name?
Kevin is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kevin?
Kevin is usually pronounced KEH-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