Gavon
A name of uncertain origin, possibly stemming from a Celtic root meaning "small".
Name Census estimates that about 423 living Americans carry the first name Gavon. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Gavon today is around 22 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Gavon births was 2003 (38 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Gavon. 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
423
~ 1 in 810,294 Americans
Peak year
2003
38 babies that year
Average age
22
years old
2019 SSA rank
#9,163
Tracked since 1987
Popularity
Gavon: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Gavon from the 1980s through to the 2010s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 255 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Gavon remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gavon 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 Gavon during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Gavons live
Origin
Meaning and history of Gavon
The given name Gavon has its origins in the ancient Celtic language that was spoken across parts of Europe and the British Isles. It is believed to have derived from the Proto-Celtic word "gavon", which meant "blacksmith" or "metalworker". The name likely originated in the region that is now modern-day France and Belgium, around the 5th or 6th century BCE.
The earliest recorded use of the name Gavon can be found in a few ancient inscriptions and carvings from the Gaulish and Brittonic tribes of that era. One notable example is a carving on a stone tablet found in Brittany, France, which is believed to have been created around 300 BCE and mentions a person named "Gavonos".
In the centuries that followed, the name Gavon appeared in various historical records and texts across Europe, particularly in areas with Celtic cultural influence. One notable figure was Gavon of Leinster, an Irish king who ruled in the 6th century CE. Another was Gavon the Scribe, a Welsh monk and calligrapher who lived in the 9th century CE and is known for his intricate illuminated manuscripts.
During the Middle Ages, the name Gavon was relatively uncommon but still appeared sporadically. A notable bearer was Gavon de Chabanais, a French nobleman and crusader who fought in the Third Crusade in the late 12th century. Another was Gavon of Arles, a Provençal poet and troubadour who lived in the 13th century and wrote several poems and songs that have survived to this day.
In the Renaissance period, the name Gavon gained some renewed popularity, particularly in France and Italy. One notable figure was Gavon de Beaumarchais, a French playwright and musician who lived in the 18th century and is best known for his works such as "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro".
Over the centuries, the name Gavon has maintained a presence, albeit relatively rare, in various parts of Europe, particularly in regions with Celtic cultural influences. While not as common as some other names, it has been carried on by individuals throughout history, each adding their own chapter to the rich tapestry of this ancient name.
People
Gavon + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Gavon as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Gavon: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Gavon?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 423 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Gavon 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 810,294 US residents.
Is Gavon a common name?
We classify Gavon as "Very Rare". It ranks above 82.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 429 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Gavon most popular?
The single biggest year for Gavon was 2003, when 38 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Gavon is about 22 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Gavon a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Gavon 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.