Find out how popular the first name Gavyn has been for the last 38 years (from 1986 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gavyn by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Gavyn is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Gavyn being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 36 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Gavyn.

The history of the first name Gavyn

The name Gavyn is derived from the Celtic word "gawain," which means "hawk of battle" or "white hawk." It is believed to have originated in Wales during the Middle Ages, around the 6th or 7th century AD. The name was popular among the ancient Britons and was often associated with bravery and strength in battle.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Gavyn can be found in the Arthurian legends, where Sir Gawain was one of the Knights of the Round Table. In these stories, Sir Gawain was known for his chivalry, courage, and loyalty to King Arthur.

The name Gavyn gained popularity throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in England and France. In 1066, a Norman knight named Gawain de Barri accompanied William the Conqueror to England and is believed to have helped introduce the name to the region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gavyn. One of the earliest was Gawain Douglas (1474-1522), a Scottish poet and Bishop of Dunkeld. He is best known for his translation of Virgil's Aeneid into Middle Scots.

Another famous Gavyn was Gawain Townsend (1587-1630), an English translator and poet who is credited with introducing the sonnet form to English literature. He is particularly known for his translations of works by Ovid and Horace.

In the 19th century, Gawain Hay (1820-1888) was a Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Edinburgh, including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Old Surgical Hospital.

More recently, Gawain Edwards (1909-1992) was a Welsh writer and poet who gained recognition for his works exploring the culture and landscape of Wales. He was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1964.

Finally, Gawain Jones (born 1987) is a contemporary English chess grandmaster who has represented England in numerous international tournaments and competitions.

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

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

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