William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Nevin
BoyIrish· “from an Irish surname, meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- from an Irish surname, meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- NEH-vihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,013
- US babies 2025
- 27
- Best rank
- #926 (1926)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Nevin
Nevin is often said to mean “from an Irish surname, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
Nevin comes from an Irish surname, usually traced to Gaelic Ó Cnáimhín or Mac Cnáimhín. The root is often linked to the word for bone and read as "little bone," while other sources connect it with a word for saint or holy person, so its meaning remains uncertain. A separate Scottish surname Nevin also exists. The name is said NEH-vihn, with the same easy rhythm as Kevin and Devin, which makes it feel familiar without being common. Neven and Niven are related spellings, and the name suits families who want an Irish heritage choice that is less expected than Nolan or Declan.
Popularity over time
Nevin first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 7 different years, starting in 1912. Its best national rank was #926 in 1926, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 140 were named Nevin. In 2025, 27 babies were named Nevin, and it ranked #4,013 nationally. That is 60% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,062 in 1920, #1,199 in 1950, #1,514 in 1980, #1,264 in 2000, #1,380 in 2010, and #4,013 in 2025. Of the 6,372 US boys named Nevin since records began, 19% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 1,000 babies. Since 2010, 1,056 more have been named Nevin.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Devlin, Broden, Adyn, Xavion, and Brandt.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Nevin over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Nevin is usually pronounced NEH-vihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-in”.
Middle names for Nevin
A few middle names that flow with Nevin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nevin
Similar names
Davin Boy
DA-vihn
Irish
#2,687
Torin Boy
TAW-rihn
“modern name; uncertain origin” · Irish
#1,350
Devin Boy
DEH-vihn
“from an Irish surname” · Irish
#548
Orin Boy
OR-ihn
“little pale green one” · Irish
#1,859
Kevin Boy
KEH-vihn
“gentle, handsome birth” · Irish
#221
Jaylin Unisex
JAY-lihn
“blend of Jay and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#1,742
Aydin Boy
AY-dihn
“bright, enlightened” · Turkish
#1,315
Efrain Boy
eh-frah-EEN
“fruitful” · Spanish
#1,494
Arin Unisex
EH-rihn
“uncertain; often a variant of Aaron” · Hebrew
#2,037
Amin Boy
ah-MEEN
“trustworthy, faithful” · Arabic
#1,603
Hussain Boy
hoo-SAYN
“good, handsome little one” · Arabic
#1,947
Armin Boy
AR-mihn
“from Herman: army man” · German
#2,038
Lists that include Nevin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nevin mean?
Nevin is often said to mean “from an Irish surname, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Nevin?
Nevin has Irish roots. Nevin comes from an Irish surname, usually traced to Gaelic Ó Cnáimhín or Mac Cnáimhín.
Is Nevin a popular name?
Not especially. Nevin ranked #4,013 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nevin a boy or girl name?
Nevin is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Nevin over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Nevin?
Nevin is usually pronounced NEH-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