The story behind Gavin
Medieval variant of Gawain, the name of an Arthurian knight, first recorded as Old French Gauvain. The form Gavin survived in Scotland and spread to other English-speaking countries in the 1960s. Doublet of Gawain.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈɡævɪn/
Popularity
Gavin ranked #303 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Gavin
Ailean
a male given name from the Celtic languages, equivalent to English Alan
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alan
From Old Breton Alan, name of early Breton saints, of disputed origin and meaning; brought to England by Normans. It may have been the name of a Celtic deity, the brother of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Allan
A male given name from the Celtic languages, a less common spelling of Alan. From English Allan at the end of the 19th century. Borrowed from English Allan, Alan, probably of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Allen
A male given name from the Celtic languages, a variant of Alan; in modern use often transferred from the surname.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Tristan
Old French, the name of a knight, lover of Iseult in medieval romance Tristan and Iseult, from Celtic Drystan derived from drest meaning "riot" or "tumult".
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gaetan
From French Gaëtan and Gaétan, from Italian Gaetano, from Latin Caiētānus.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Gavin
Alanis
A feminine form of Alan best known for the Canadian singer Alanis Morissette whose father was named Alan.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Alanna
A feminine form of Alan; variant spelling of Alana. Compare also Alannah.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Galahad
From Old French Galahad, of obscure origin and meaning. Suggestions include Old Welsh, or biblical Gilead.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Gavin
Alana
Feminine form of Alan (from Alan + -a). In regular use since the 20th century. alana (“awakening”); the modern usage is reinforced by English Alana.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alanis
A feminine form of Alan best known for the Canadian singer Alanis Morissette whose father was named Alan.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alanna
A feminine form of Alan; variant spelling of Alana. Compare also Alannah.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length