The story behind Kevin
Name of a seventh-century Irish saint, from Irish Caoimhghin or Caoimhín, from Old Irish Cóemgen (literally “dear birth/person”). It first became popular outside Ireland in the mid-twentieth century.
Other language forms and explanations (4)
French entry
Recently borrowed from English Kevin.
German entry
Borrowed from English Kevin. First popularised in the late 1970s after footballer Kevin Keegan, who played for Hamburger SV from 1977 to 1980.
Portuguese entry
Unadapted borrowing from English Kevin.
Spanish entry
Borrowed from English Kevin.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈkɛvɪn/
Regional pronunciation variants
- English; dialect unspecified: /ˈkɛvən/
- French: /ke.vin/
- German: /ˈkɛ.vɪn/
- Portuguese; Brazil: /ˈkɛ.vĩ/
- Portuguese; Portugal: /ˈkɛ.vi.nɨ/
- Portuguese; Northern; Portugal: /ˈkɛ.bi.nɨ/
- Portuguese; Northern; Portugal: [ˈkɛ.βi.nɨ]
- Spanish: /ˈkebin/
- Spanish: [ˈke.β̞ĩn]
Popularity
Kevin ranked #221 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Kevin
Keelin
Borrowed from Irish Caoilfhionn, from caol (“thin, slender”) + fionn (“light, fair”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Keenan
From Irish Cianán, a diminutive of Cian.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kevan
A male given name from Irish, variant of Kevin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kilian
A male given name from Irish, variant of Killian. Borrowed from Irish Cillian, originally in honor of an Irish seventh century missionary to Würzburg.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kiljan
Borrowed from Irish Cillian, a saint’s name, first used in Iceland by Halldór Kiljan Laxness (1902-1998) after his conversion to Catholicism.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Killian
An anglicized spelling of Irish Cillian.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Kevin
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Agatha
Borrowed from Latin Agatha, from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), from Ancient Greek ἀγαθός (agathós, “good”). Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), feminine of ἀγαθός…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aidano
From English Aidan, from Irish Aodhán.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Kevin
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adamu
Borrowed from English Adam.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends U
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length