Cavan is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. The name is derived from the county of Cavan in Ireland, which is located in the province of Ulster. The county's name is believed to have come from the Irish word "cabhán," meaning "hollow" or "flat-topped hill."
The name Cavan has a rich history and cultural significance in Ireland. It is named after the ancient kingdom of Cenél nEógain, which was ruled by the O'Neills, one of the most powerful families in Irish history. The county town of Cavan is known for its historic buildings and landmarks, including Cavan Cathedral and the Anglo-Swiss Cottage.
Despite its Irish origins, Cavan is not a particularly common name in Ireland today. However, it has gained some popularity as a given name in other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In recent years, there have been several notable figures with the name Cavan, including Cavan Scott, a British author known for his work on Doctor Who, and Cavan Biggs, an American football player who played for the Cincinnati Bengals. These individuals have helped to bring greater attention to the name Cavan and contribute to its growing popularity as a given name.
Overall, Cavan is a unique and distinctive name with a rich history and cultural significance in Ireland. While it may not be particularly common today, it remains an attractive choice for parents looking for a meaningful and memorable name for their child.
Between 1969 and 2023, the name Cavan has been given to a total of 1656 newborn babies in the United States. The popularity of this name has varied over the years, with some years seeing significantly more births than others.
In the early years, from 1969 to 1972, there were relatively few births per year, ranging from just 7 to 11. However, starting in 1981, we see a significant increase in popularity, with the number of births jumping to 23 that year and remaining high throughout most of the decade.
The peak of Cavan's popularity occurred between 1992 and 2002, with particularly high numbers of births occurring in 1997 (32), 1998 (33), 2001 (41), and 2002 (65). This trend continued into the early 2000s, with another peak in 2008 when there were 77 births.
However, since then, we've seen a decline in popularity. The last few years have shown decreasing numbers of Cavan births, with only 28 births recorded each year from 2021 to 2023. Despite this recent decrease in popularity, the name Cavan remains a classic choice for parents looking for something unique but timeless.