Kevin
Peaked at #11 nationally in 1963, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1912, Kevin has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Kevin is the anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín, from the Old Irish Cóemgein, meaning "handsome birth" or "comely birth." It was borne by Saint Kevin of Glendalough, a 6th-century Irish monk and hermit who founded a monastic settlement in County Wicklow. The name remained largely confined to Ireland until the mid-20th century, when it spread widely into the U.S. and Britain.
Notable people & culture
Actor and director Kevin Costner, comedian Kevin Hart, and NBA star Kevin Durant have all helped keep the name prominent in American pop culture. Actor Kevin Bacon is additionally known for the trivia game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." The name surged in U.S. popularity through the 1960s to 1980s before gradually tapering off.
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Kevin — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#911
in 1966
Current rank
#16448
in 2024
Years tracked
80
1938–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1938, Kevin reached its peak popularity for girls in 1966, ranking #911 nationally with 123 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #8287 (2014) to #16448 (2024) — a 50% drop.
As of 2024, Kevin ranks #16448 nationally for girls, with 5 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #16,448 | 5 |
| 2020 | #11,624 | 8 |
| 2017 | #11,160 | 9 |
| 2016 | #15,312 | 6 |
| 2015 | #8,223 | 14 |
| 2014 | #8,287 | 14 |
| 2013 | #10,637 | 10 |
| 2012 | #14,271 | 7 |
Kevin — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#11
in 1963
Current rank
#196
in 2024
Years tracked
113
1912–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1912, Kevin reached its peak popularity for boys in 1963, ranking #11 nationally with 30,611 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #70 (2014) to #196 (2024) — a 64% drop.
As of 2024, Kevin ranks #196 nationally for boys, with 1,822 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #196 | 1,822 |
| 2023 | #187 | 1,919 |
| 2022 | #182 | 2,077 |
| 2021 | #183 | 2,109 |
| 2020 | #157 | 2,384 |
| 2019 | #149 | 2,622 |
| 2018 | #125 | 3,143 |
| 2017 | #102 | 3,833 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Kevin most popular?
Kevin was most popular in 1963, when it ranked #11 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Kevin becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Kevin?
At least 1,188,207 babies have been recorded with the name Kevin in the US since 1912, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Kevin? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.