Kevin is a popular masculine given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Caoimh, which is believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Norse Vikings. The surname Ó Caoimh is thought to have been derived from the Old Norse personal name Kaván, meaning "handsome" or "beautiful". Over time, the surname Ó Caoimh became anglicized to Kevin, and it eventually evolved into a given name in its own right.
The name Kevin has been used in Ireland for centuries, but it did not gain international popularity until the mid-20th century. In the United States, for example, Kevin was not even among the top 1000 most popular boys' names in the 1930s and 1940s. However, by the 1960s and 1970s, Kevin had become one of the most popular boys' names in America, peaking at number two in popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Today, Kevin remains a popular choice for parents naming their sons. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Kevin was the sixth most popular boy's name in the United States in 2020. The name has also gained popularity around the world, with variants such as Keven and Kavin being used in countries such as France, Germany, and Japan.
In addition to its Irish origins and meaning, the name Kevin is associated with several notable figures throughout history. Saint Kevin of Glendalough was an Irish monk who founded a monastery in the 6th century, and he is celebrated as one of Ireland's patron saints. More recently, the name Kevin has been borne by actors such as Kevin Bacon, Kevin Costner, and Kevin Spacey, as well as athletes like Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett.
Overall, the name Kevin has a rich history that dates back centuries, with origins in Ireland and a meaning that is associated with beauty and handsomeness. Today, it remains a popular choice for parents around the world looking to give their sons a strong and enduring name.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Keavin in the United States:
* Keavin was consistently a rare name throughout most of the 20th century, with only five babies given this name each year between 1954 and 1962.
* There was a gap of over two decades before we saw another rise in popularity for Keavin, with five births recorded again in 1983.
* The name experienced a small spike in the mid-1990s, with six babies named Keavin in 1996. However, it quickly returned to its usual level of rarity, with just five births each year in 1992 and 2011.
* Over the span of these years, from 1954 to 2011, a total of 41 babies were given the name Keavin in the United States.
It's fascinating to observe how this unique name has maintained its rarity over time, with only occasional small fluctuations in popularity. This could make Keavin an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive and uncommon name for their child.