Kevin

Meaning of Kevin

Kevin traces its roots to the Irish Caoimhín, a Gaelic compound roughly meaning “handsome birth” or “gentle, beloved,” and first gained renown through St. Kevin of Glendalough, a sixth-century hermit whose calm persistence made him a fixture of Celtic lore. When the name crossed the Atlantic, it lay dormant until the post-war baby boom, then climbed the U.S. charts with an enthusiasm that peaked in the 1960s—an arc echoed by cultural touchstones such as actor Kevin Bacon and, later, the good-natured mischief of Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone.” Since its high-water mark, the name has drifted down the rankings yet still posts a few thousand births a year, suggesting that while the spotlight has dimmed, its Celtic lilt and approachable two-syllable snap remain dependable. In conversation, Kevin strikes a balance: familiar without feeling old-fashioned, friendly without excessive informality. Parents seeking a name with straightforward pronunciation, understated heritage, and just a hint of saintly backstory will find Kevin a serviceable—some might say reliably well-behaved—choice.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as KEV-in (/ˈkɛv.ɪn/)

• Evan
• Devin
• Kieran
• Gavin
• Keegan
• Kelvin