All about the name

Kelvin

Female

« Kelvin is a Scottish name derived from "ceulien," meaning "from the narrow lands," associated with the Kelvin River and named after its Celtic god. It's also tied to Lord Kelvin, the 19th-century physicist who developed the Kelvin temperature scale. »

#15443 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Kelvin is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the old Scottish word "ceulien," which means "from the narrow lands." It is also associated with the Kelvin River in Scotland, which flows through Glasgow and was named after the Celtic god of the same name. The name Kelvin has a significant historical figure attached to it. Lord Kelvin, born William Thomson, was a renowned physicist from Scotland who lived during the 19th century. He was responsible for developing the absolute temperature scale known as the Kelvin scale, which is why the unit of measurement for temperature, the Kelvin, bears his name. In terms of popularity, Kelvin has seen varying degrees of usage over time. It was quite popular in the mid-20th century but its usage has since declined. However, it remains a unique and distinctive name choice. Overall, the name Kelvin is associated with Scottish heritage, historical significance in the field of physics, and offers a unique option for parents looking to give their child an uncommon yet meaningful name.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Kelvin since 1880

Total births
304
Total since 1880
Peak year
1972
13 births
in 2004
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0% →
vs previous 5 years