Earvin
A masculine name of uncertain etymology, perhaps from a Germanic root meaning "honor" or "courage".
Name Census estimates that about 745 living Americans carry the first name Earvin. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Earvin today is around 52 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Earvin births was 1992 (49 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Earvin. 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.
People living today
745
~ 1 in 460,073 Americans
Peak year
1992
49 babies that year
Average age
52
years old
2017 SSA rank
#12,813
Tracked since 1910
Popularity
Earvin: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Earvin from the 1910s through to the 2010s, spanning 11 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 185 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Earvin 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 Earvin during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Earvins live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. California, Florida, Mississippi recorded the most babies named Earvin, while New York, Mississippi, Florida recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 22 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Earvin
The given name Earvin is an unusual and distinctive name with a fascinating history. Its origins can be traced back to the Old English language, where it was derived from the Germanic root words "ear" (meaning "honor" or "respect") and "wine" (meaning "friend" or "companion"). This combination suggests that the name Earvin may have been initially bestowed upon individuals who were considered honorable and loyal companions or friends.
In the Middle Ages, variations of the name, such as "Erwin" and "Ervin," were relatively common among the Anglo-Saxon population of England. However, the specific spelling "Earvin" is believed to have emerged later, possibly during the Renaissance period, as a result of regional dialectal variations.
While there are no known references to the name Earvin in ancient texts or religious scriptures, historical records from the 16th and 17th centuries indicate that it was occasionally used in parts of England and Scotland. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Earvin Loxley, a merchant from York who lived during the late 16th century.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Earvin. In the 18th century, Earvin Smythe (1710-1792) was a prominent English architect who designed several churches and public buildings in London. During the American Civil War, Earvin Grierson (1837-1911) was a Union Army cavalry officer who gained fame for his daring raids behind Confederate lines.
In the 20th century, Earvin Madigan (1888-1967) was an Australian politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for over three decades. Another notable figure was Earvin Johnson (1914-1990), an American jazz pianist and composer known for his innovative style and collaborations with legendary musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
Perhaps the most famous individual to bear the name Earvin is Earvin "Magic" Johnson (born 1959), the legendary basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers to multiple NBA championships in the 1980s and later became a successful businessman and philanthropist.
While the name Earvin may be uncommon in modern times, its rich history and unique blend of Old English roots make it a fascinating and distinctive moniker that has been borne by individuals from various walks of life throughout the centuries.
Notable bearers
Famous people named Earvin
People
Earvin + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Earvin as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Earvin: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Earvin?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 745 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Earvin 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 460,073 US residents.
Is Earvin a common name?
We classify Earvin as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,198 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Earvin most popular?
The single biggest year for Earvin was 1992, when 49 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Earvin is about 52 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Earvin a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Earvin 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.
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.