Gavin first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Gavin has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Gavin

A given name of Celtic origin possibly meaning "white hawk" or "hawk's battle".

Popularity of Gavin by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,512 male babies and 8 female babies born with the name Gavin.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 8 baby girls were named Gavin in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 1,512 8
2022 1,785 5
2021 2,209 0
2020 2,587 0
2019 3,010 5
2018 3,471 7
2017 4,156 0
2016 4,941 5
2015 5,789 5
2014 6,622 10
2013 7,420 16
2012 8,258 15
2011 9,016 17
2010 9,622 12
2009 10,739 13
2008 11,747 33
2007 11,862 26
2006 10,478 21
2005 9,340 17
2004 8,609 55
2003 8,764 20
2002 6,951 16
2001 5,260 12
2000 4,686 10
1999 3,658 13
1998 3,195 9
1997 2,757 6
1996 1,633 5
1995 1,193 0
1994 1,121 0
1993 945 6
1992 1,067 0
1991 848 5
1990 860 0
1989 629 0
1988 544 5
1987 630 7
1986 537 0
1985 522 0
1984 513 5
1983 691 0
1982 478 0
1981 494 0
1980 351 0
1979 317 0
1978 365 0
1977 303 5
1976 318 0
1975 261 0
1974 270 0

The history of the first name Gavin

The given name Gavin has its roots in the medieval Celtic culture, originating from the Welsh language. It is derived from the Welsh word "gafyn," which means "hawk" or "small hawk." This suggests a connection to the natural world and a potential symbolic association with strength, keen vision, and agility.

The earliest known recorded use of the name Gavin dates back to the 12th century in Wales. It was initially a surname before gaining popularity as a given name. The name Gavin has also been spelled as Gavyn, Gaven, and Gawain in various historical records.

One of the earliest and most renowned historical figures bearing the name Gavin was Sir Gawain, a nephew of King Arthur in the Arthurian legends. He is celebrated as one of the greatest knights of the Round Table and is portrayed as a symbol of courage, chivalry, and honor in the famous 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."

Another notable historical figure with the name Gavin was Gavin Douglas (c. 1474-1522), a Scottish Bishop and poet. He is best known for his translation of Virgil's Aeneid into Scots, which is considered a literary masterpiece and a significant contribution to the preservation of the Scots language.

In the 16th century, Gavin Hamilton (1723-1798) was a renowned Scottish painter and archaeologist. He is particularly celebrated for his neoclassical paintings and his contributions to the rediscovery and preservation of ancient Roman art and architecture.

Gavin Ewart (1917-1995) was a British poet and writer who gained recognition for his contributions to the literary scene in the mid-20th century. He was known for his witty and satirical writings, which often explored themes of modern urban life and social commentary.

Gavin Bryars (born 1943) is a respected British composer and musician. He is widely acclaimed for his innovative and experimental works that blend classical and contemporary styles, including his famous composition "The Sinking of the Titanic," which incorporates the sounds of the ship's hull creaking as it sank.

Throughout history, the name Gavin has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, art, music, and more. Its Celtic origins and symbolic connection to the natural world have added a unique and enduring quality to this name.

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 Gavin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Gavin first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/gavin-meaning-and-history/.

"Gavin first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/gavin-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Gavin first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/gavin-meaning-and-history/.

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