Kevin: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced KEV-in · 2 syllables
Kevin means “dear birth/person”, from Irish.
Name of a seventh-century Irish saint, from Irish Caoimhghin or Caoimhin, from Old Irish Coemgen (literally “dear birth/person”). It first became popular outside Ireland in the mid-twentieth century.
- Meaning
- dear birth/person
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEV-in
- US rank (2025)
- #221
- US babies a year
- about 1,951 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1960
How popular is Kevin?
Kevin was the #221 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,628 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 68% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1960.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #221 |
| England & Wales | #155 |
| Scotland | #186 |
| Northern Ireland | #270 |
| Ireland | #138 |
| France | #435 |
| Norway | #185 |
| Canada | #355 |
| Australia | #222 |
How old are people named Kevin?
Half of US adults named Kevin are older than 50; most are between 22 and 70. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Kevin
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Kevin have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Kevin
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Kevin
What does the name Kevin mean?
Kevin means “dear birth/person”. It comes from Irish.
How do you pronounce Kevin?
Kevin is pronounced KEV-in.
How popular is the name Kevin?
Kevin was the #221 name in the US in 2025, given to 1,628 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 68% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1960.
How old are people named Kevin?
Half of US adults named Kevin are older than 50. Most are between 22 and 70.