Cavett
An English given name referring to a meadow or little dell.
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Cavett. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Cavett today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cavett births was 1973 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cavett. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Cavett. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1973
5 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
1973 SSA rank
#5,205
Tracked since 1973
Popularity
Cavett: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Cavett by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cavett during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Cavett
The given name Cavett is a relatively modern and rare name, with its origins shrouded in mystery. It is believed to have emerged in the English-speaking world during the late 19th or early 20th century, though its precise etymology remains uncertain.
One theory suggests that Cavett could be a variant spelling or diminutive form of the name Caelius, which has its roots in the Latin word "caelum," meaning "heaven" or "sky." This would align with the naming tradition of bestowing celestial or heavenly names upon children, though there is no definitive evidence to support this claim.
Another possibility is that Cavett may have originated as a surname, derived from a place name or occupation, before being adopted as a given name. This was a common practice in various cultures, where surnames or family names were repurposed as first names over time.
While there are no known historical references or ancient texts mentioning the name Cavett specifically, its modern usage can be traced back to a handful of notable individuals who have borne this name throughout the 20th century.
One of the earliest and most prominent individuals with the name Cavett was Dick Cavett, an American television personality, and talk show host, born in 1936. Cavett's witty and intellectual style made him a cultural icon, and his long-running talk show, "The Dick Cavett Show," featured numerous literary and artistic luminaries as guests.
Another notable figure with the name Cavett was Robert Cavett Hoyt (1899-1968), an American military officer and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery during World War I. Hoyt served in various leadership roles throughout his career, including as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1946 to 1950.
In the literary realm, Cavett Hughes (1926-2008) was an American novelist and essayist, known for her works exploring themes of Southern identity and culture. Her novel "Milltown Maverick" was a critically acclaimed exploration of life in a small Southern town.
Cavett Robert (1894-1969) was an American actor and vaudeville performer, who appeared in several Broadway productions and films during the early 20th century. His career spanned over six decades, and he was a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Finally, Cavett Meredithe (1903-1977) was an American artist and painter, known for her vibrant and expressive works depicting scenes from the American Southwest. Her paintings captured the beauty and spirit of the desert landscapes and were widely exhibited throughout her lifetime.
While the name Cavett remains relatively uncommon, these individuals have contributed to its recognition and legacy across various fields, from entertainment and literature to art and military service.
People
Cavett + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cavett as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cavett: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cavett?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cavett going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Cavett a common name?
We classify Cavett as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cavett most popular?
The single biggest year for Cavett was 1973, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cavett is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Cavett in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Cavett a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cavett in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Cavett still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Cavett in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Cavett can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Cavett?
See how many Americans are named Cavett on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.