Calvin first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Calvin has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Calvin

A masculine name derived from the French chauve meaning "bald".

Popularity of Calvin by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Calvin is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Calvin being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 2,568 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Calvin.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Calvin in 2024, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

YearMale CountFemale Count
20242,5685
20232,4030
20222,5765
20212,5876
20202,5338
20192,6450
20182,7580
20172,7020
20162,7937
20152,4370
20142,3346
20132,0637
20121,9650
20111,7080
20101,6610
20091,5770
20081,6290
20071,6180
20061,6487
20051,6190
20041,5960
20031,5660
20021,5615
20011,6135
20001,6810
19991,6220
19981,6370
19971,7070
19961,7596
19951,7196
19941,5650
19931,7460
19921,6147
19911,7097
19901,7838
19891,86914
19881,81113
19871,78919
19861,66617
19851,52019
19841,44015
19831,42914
19821,47718
19811,45812
19801,32613
19791,33723
19781,26214
19771,28423
19761,23221
19751,28514

The history of the first name Calvin

The name Calvin has its origins in the Latin name Calvinus, which was a Roman family name derived from the Latin word calvus, meaning "bald" or "hairless." The name likely originated as a nickname or descriptive term for someone with little or no hair.

In the Early Middle Ages, the name was adopted as a given name by Christians, possibly in honor of Saint Calvinus, a 7th-century Christian martyr from Saxony. The name gained popularity during the Protestant Reformation, particularly among followers of the French theologian John Calvin (1509-1564), a key figure in the Protestant Reformation and the founder of Calvinism.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Calvin can be found in the 6th-century Latin text "Vitae Patrum" (Lives of the Fathers), which mentions a monk named Calvinus. In the 9th century, there was a Scottish bishop named Calvin who attended the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Calvin. One of the most famous was John Calvin, the French Protestant reformer and theologian who lived from 1509 to 1564. He was a prominent figure in the Protestant Reformation and his teachings, known as Calvinism, profoundly influenced Christian theology and the development of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches.

Another notable Calvin was Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), the 30th President of the United States. He served as president from 1923 to 1929 and was known for his conservative fiscal policies and his advocacy for civil rights.

Calvin Klein (born 1942) is an American fashion designer who founded the eponymous fashion house Calvin Klein Inc. He is renowned for his minimalist and modern designs, particularly in the areas of underwear, fragrances, and apparel.

In literature, Calvin is the name of the precocious and imaginative six-year-old protagonist in the comic strip "Calvin and Hobbes" by Bill Watterson, which ran from 1985 to 1995. The character Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes became beloved cultural icons.

Calvin Harris (born 1984) is a Scottish DJ, record producer, and singer-songwriter. He has been one of the most successful and influential figures in the electronic dance music scene since the late 2000s, known for hits like "Feel So Close" and "Summer."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Calvin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Calvin, please contact us.

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