Kevin

Updated: February 28, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Kevin is a traditional favorite for baby boy names. Sturdy and simple, the name held its own within popular culture for decades. Kevin Keene is the protagonist of Captain N: The Game Master, and Kevin McCallister was the precocious main character of the Home Alone film franchise. Keep reading to learn more about this name.

Meaning of the name Kevin:

Irish: Handsome birth

Origin of the name Kevin:

Kevin is the anglicized version of the Irish name Caoimhín. The name originates from the Irish words cóem (meaning “handsome,” “gentle,” or “beautiful”) and -gein (meaning “birth”). Kevin means “handsome birth.” The name can also indicate that a baby boy is “well-born” or “beloved.”

Symbolism of the name Kevin:

Kevin means “handsome birth.” One of the most famous bearers of the name is Saint Kevin of Glendalough (the patron saint of Dublin). According to tradition, Kevin's mother gave birth without the usual pains of labor. Legend also has it that while praying, a blackbird built a nest in Kevin's outstretched hands. For this reason, the symbol for Kevin is the blackbird egg.

Style of the name Kevin:

Traditional

Gender of the name Kevin:

Kevin is a boy's baby name.

Pronunciation of the name Kevin:

KEHV-in

Number of syllables in the name Kevin:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Kevin:

The name Kevin evokes feelings of confidence and bounty.

Alternative spellings for the name Kevin:

Nicknames for the name Kevin:

Kev
Kevy
Kevie
Vin
Vinny

Popularity of the name Kevin:

According to the Social Security Administration index, Kevin was the 156th most popular baby name for boys in 2020. Kevin has ranked among the top 200 boy names since 2017.