Gavin Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Gavin Name Meaning

Fact: Gavin is particularly popular in California, where it has one of the highest concentrations of people named Gavin​

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A Deep Dive

Gavin Overview

Meaning

White hawk, God send

Gender

Boy

Origin

Welsh, Scottish

Etymology

Derived from the medieval name “Gawain,” which is of Welsh origin, meaning “white hawk” or “little hawk.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈɡævɪn/

Popularity

Gavin is popular in the USA and other English-speaking countries. In 2023, Gavin ranked #135 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Cool, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Loyal, energetic, strong

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend, symbolizing chivalry and bravery.

Name Day

October 19 (Scotland)
A Deep Dive

Gavin Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Gavyn, Gaven, Gavon, Gavino, Gavinn

Common Nicknames

Gav, Vinny, Gavi, Gavvy, Vinnie

Diminutives

Gavie, Vini, G, Gavster

Famous People

  • Gavin DeGraw
    (American Singer)
  • Gavin Rossdale
    (British Musician)
  • Gavin MacLeod
    (American Actor)
  • Gavin Newsom
    (American Politician)
  • Gavin Free
    (British Filmmaker)
  • Gavin Hood
    (South African Director)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Gavin Belson
    ("Silicon Valley," TV Series)
  • Gavin Reed
    ("Detroit: Become Human," Video Game)
  • "Gavin & Stacey"
    (TV Series)
  • Gavin Volure
    ("30 Rock," TV Series)
  • Gavin Q. Baker III
    ("Charmed," TV Series)
  • Gavin Walker
    ("Knight Rider," TV Series)

Places

  • Gavin Lake
    (British Columbia, Canada)
  • Gavin Park
    (Saratoga Springs, New York, USA)
  • Patrick F Gavin Middle School
    (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
  • Gavin Canyon
    (California, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Gavin?

Gavin means “white hawk” or “little hawk.” This name suggests a personality that is sharp and keen, highlighting qualities of vigilance and agility.

What Is the Origin of The Name Gavin?

The name Gavin has Welsh origins, derived from the medieval name Gawain, which means “white hawk.” It is a variant of the name Gwalchgwyn, which combines “gwalch” (hawk) and “gwyn” (white).

Gavin Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Gavin in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1742021#2062022#2312023
Top 3 Rankings#302008#322007#332009

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Gavin

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023231
(-25 from 2022)
1512
(-284 from 2022)
0.08257
2022206
(-32 from 2021)
1796
(-418 from 2021)
0.09589
2021174
(-33 from 2020)
2214
(-373 from 2020)
0.11817
2020141
(-13 from 2019)
2587
(-425 from 2019)
0.13986
2019128
(-17 from 2018)
3012
(-459 from 2018)
0.15673
2018111
(-15 from 2017)
3471
(-687 from 2017)
0.17857
201796
(-16 from 2016)
4158
(-784 from 2016)
0.21009
201680
(-10 from 2015)
4942
(-848 from 2015)
0.24397
201570
(-9 from 2014)
5790
(-832 from 2014)
0.28321
201461
(-11 from 2013)
6622
(-799 from 2013)
0.32315
201350
(-10 from 2012)
7421
(-839 from 2012)
0.36725
201240
(-3 from 2011)
8260
(-756 from 2011)
0.40706
201137
(+1 from 2010)
9016
(-608 from 2010)
0.44383
201038
(-5 from 2009)
9624
(-1115 from 2009)
0.46846
200933
(-3 from 2008)
10739
(-1011 from 2008)
0.50634
200830
(+2 from 2007)
11750
(-112 from 2007)
0.53889
200732
(+6 from 2006)
11862
(+1383 from 2006)
0.53551
200638
(+9 from 2005)
10479
(+1139 from 2005)
0.47798
200547
(+5 from 2004)
9340
(+731 from 2004)
0.43905
200452
(-1 from 2003)
8609
(-155 from 2003)
0.40736
200351
(+10 from 2002)
8764
(+1813 from 2002)
0.41710
200261
(+17 from 2001)
6951
(+1691 from 2001)
0.33634
200178
(+7 from 2000)
5260
(+574 from 2000)
0.25430
200085
(+16 from 1999)
4686
(+1028 from 1999)
0.22439
1999101
(+15 from 1998)
3658
(+463 from 1998)
0.17940
1998116
(+20 from 1997)
3195
(+438 from 1997)
0.15757
1997136
(+56 from 1996)
2757
(+1124 from 1996)
0.13800
1996192
(+50 from 1995)
1633
(+440 from 1995)
0.08150
1995242
(+15 from 1994)
1193
(+72 from 1994)
0.05931
1994257
(+37 from 1993)
1121
(+176 from 1993)
0.05500
1993294
(-28 from 1992)
945
(-122 from 1992)
0.04575
1992266
(+36 from 1991)
1067
(+218 from 1991)
0.05083
1991302
(-8 from 1990)
849
(-11 from 1990)
0.04005
1990294
(+66 from 1989)
860
(+231 from 1989)
0.03996
1989360
(+10 from 1988)
629
(+85 from 1988)
0.03001
1988370
(-44 from 1987)
544
(-86 from 1987)
0.02717
1987326
(+26 from 1986)
630
(+93 from 1986)
0.03230
1986352
No change from 1985
537
(+15 from 1985)
0.02794
1985352
(+3 from 1984)
522
(+9 from 1984)
0.02713
1984355
(-64 from 1983)
513
(-177 from 1983)
0.02734
1983291
(+77 from 1982)
690
(+213 from 1982)
0.03703
1982368
(-10 from 1981)
477
(-15 from 1981)
0.02528
1981358
(+85 from 1980)
492
(+142 from 1980)
0.02642
1980443
(+15 from 1979)
350
(+33 from 1979)
0.01887
1979458
(-55 from 1978)
317
(-48 from 1978)
0.01770
1978403
(+57 from 1977)
365
(+62 from 1977)
0.02136
1977460
(-24 from 1976)
303
(-15 from 1976)
0.01773
1976436
(+57 from 1975)
318
(+57 from 1975)
0.01948
1975493
(-7 from 1974)
261
(-9 from 1974)
0.01609
1974486
(+26 from 1973)
270
(+38 from 1973)
0.01656
1973512
(+90 from 1972)
232
(+58 from 1972)
0.01438
1972602
(-56 from 1971)
174
(-44 from 1971)
0.01039
1971546
(+16 from 1970)
218
(+10 from 1970)
0.01199
1970562
(-39 from 1969)
208
(-15 from 1969)
0.01092
1969523
(+25 from 1968)
223
(+34 from 1968)
0.01219
1968548
(+23 from 1967)
189
(+16 from 1967)
0.01065
1967571
(+43 from 1966)
173
(+26 from 1966)
0.00972
1966614
(-13 from 1965)
147
(-13 from 1965)
0.00809
1965601
(+28 from 1964)
160
(+8 from 1964)
0.00845
1964629
(-14 from 1963)
152
(-7 from 1963)
0.00750
1963615
(+9 from 1962)
159
(+5 from 1962)
0.00770
1962624
(+95 from 1961)
154
(+40 from 1961)
0.00733
1961719
(+45 from 1960)
114
(+14 from 1960)
0.00529
1960764
(+253 from 1959)
100
(+43 from 1959)
0.00462
19591017
(-125 from 1958)
57
(-14 from 1958)
0.00263
1958892
(+386 from 1957)
71
(+34 from 1957)
0.00329
19571278
(-354 from 1956)
37
(-28 from 1956)
0.00169
1956924
(+33 from 1955)
65
(+4 from 1955)
0.00303
1955957
(-128 from 1954)
61
(-15 from 1954)
0.00292
1954829
(+310 from 1953)
76
(+34 from 1953)
0.00367
19531139
(+57 from 1952)
42
(+4 from 1952)
0.00210
19521196
(+148 from 1951)
38
(+8 from 1951)
0.00193
19511344
(+51 from 1950)
30
(+3 from 1950)
0.00157
19501395
(+67 from 1949)
27
(+2 from 1949)
0.00148
19491462
(+25 from 1948)
25
(+1 from 1948)
0.00139
19481487
(-93 from 1947)
24
(-4 from 1947)
0.00135
19471394
(+115 from 1946)
28
(+6 from 1946)
0.00151
19461509
(+500 from 1945)
22
(+10 from 1945)
0.00133
19452009
(-21 from 1944)
12
(-1 from 1944)
0.00087
19441988
(+1243 from 1943)
13
(+7 from 1943)
0.00094
19433231
(-1501 from 1942)
6
(-11 from 1942)
0.00041
19421730
(-45 from 1941)
17
No change from 1941
0.00121
19411685
(+298 from 1940)
17
(+4 from 1940)
0.00135
19401983
(+305 from 1939)
13
(+3 from 1939)
0.00110
19392288
(+38 from 1938)
10
No change from 1938
0.00088
19382326
(-498 from 1937)
10
(-5 from 1937)
0.00088
19371828
(+623 from 1936)
15
(+6 from 1936)
0.00137
19362451
(-523 from 1935)
9
(-5 from 1935)
0.00085
19351928
(+1751 from 1934)
14
(+9 from 1934)
0.00131
19343679
(-1682 from 1933)
5
(-8 from 1933)
0.00047
19331997
(-75 from 1932)
13
(-2 from 1932)
0.00127
19321922
(+179 from 1931)
15
(+2 from 1931)
0.00140
19312101
(+680 from 1930)
13
(+4 from 1930)
0.00122
19302781
(+466 from 1929)
9
(+2 from 1929)
0.00080
19293247
(-977 from 1928)
7
(-6 from 1928)
0.00063
19282270
(+28 from 1927)
13
No change from 1927
0.00114
19272298
(-224 from 1926)
13
(-2 from 1926)
0.00112
19262074
(+119 from 1925)
15
(+1 from 1925)
0.00131
19252193
(+448 from 1924)
14
(+3 from 1924)
0.00122
19242641
(-195 from 1923)
11
(-1 from 1923)
0.00094
19232446
(+40 from 1922)
12
No change from 1922
0.00106
19222486
(-333 from 1921)
12
(-3 from 1921)
0.00107
19212153
(+306 from 1920)
15
(+3 from 1920)
0.00132
19202459
(-486 from 1919)
12
(-4 from 1919)
0.00109
19191973
(+759 from 1917)
16
(+7 from 1917)
0.00158
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19172732
(-111 from 1915)
9
No change from 1915
0.00094
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19152621
(-520 from 1914)
9
(-1 from 1914)
0.00102
19142101
(+720 from 1913)
10
(+5 from 1913)
0.00146
19132821
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00093
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Gavin

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3062021#3232022#3522023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2592021#2712022#3052023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1292021#1622022#2042023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#902021#1222022#1282023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1312021#1752022#1652023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1782021#2402022#2212023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1272021#1252022#2062023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1412021#1632022#1692023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1502021#2122022#2942023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1572021#1602022#2742023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2102021#2932022#2852023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#872021#1742022#1982023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1472021#1712022#2102023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1202021#1222022#1852023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2262021#2722022#2122023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2062021#1972022#1942023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1332021#1682022#1762023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2612021#3302022#2662023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2092021#2562022#3622023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2302021#2162022#2692023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1212021#1332022#1542023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1382021#2002022#2242023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1852021#2732022#2462023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1602021#2172022#3212023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1382021#3252022#2832023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1752021#2592022#2062023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1072021#1532022#2372023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1892021#3962022#4882023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3392021#2952022#4052023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2002021#2642022#3072023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2242021#2692022#2302023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1202021#1462022#1342023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2302021#4002022#4092023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2632021#1842022#1762023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2662021#2122022#3672023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1462021#1362022#2072023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3592021#3262022#5682023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2882021#2972022#3192023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#962021#1142022#1222023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1082021#912022#1372023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1752020#2032022#1912023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2482021#2622022#2632023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2312021#1452022#1782023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1152021#1372022#2252023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#862020#1242021#1652022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2422019#1492020#2412022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#682017#1132019#972020

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1402021#1522022#1552023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1282017#552018#612020

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#862017#1222019#982021

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1422018#1542019#1612020

Popularity Rankings for Gavin in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#382011#542016#422019

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#821986#991987#921988

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1292021#1152022#1322023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2492021#3062022#3432023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3182017#3192018#2702020

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3362019#3242021#4502022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3892015#4422016#4642019

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#5562019#5872020#9442022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#9472012#8822013#9352014

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Gavin a Name for Boys or Girls?

Gavin is generally a boy’s name, valued for its strong and timeless appeal. Its historical roots and noble meaning make it a favored choice for many parents.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Gavin

Gavin in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Gavin DeGraw (Singer, born 1977): An American singer-songwriter best known for his hit single "I Don't Want to Be."
  • Gavin Rossdale (Musician, born 1965): A British musician and lead vocalist of the rock band Bush.
  • Gavin MacLeod (Actor, 1931–2021): An American actor famous for his roles in "The Love Boat" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
  • Gavin Newsom (Politician, born 1967): An American politician serving as the Governor of California.
  • Gavin Free (Filmmaker, born 1988): A British filmmaker and actor, co-creator of the YouTube series "The Slow Mo Guys."
  • Gavin Hood (Director, born 1963): A South African filmmaker and actor who directed the Oscar-winning film "Tsotsi."
  • Gavin Esler (Journalist, born 1953): A British journalist, television presenter, and author.
  • Gavin Williamson (Politician, born 1976): A British politician who has held several cabinet positions, including Secretary of State for Education.
  • Gavin Belson ("Silicon Valley," 2014 TV Series): The eccentric CEO of tech giant Hooli, known for his grandiose personality and ruthless business tactics.
  • Gavin Reed ("Detroit: Become Human," 2018 Video Game): A hot-tempered human detective who harbors a deep mistrust of androids.
  • "Gavin & Stacey" (2007 TV Series): Follows the long-distance relationship between Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Wales.
  • Gavin Volure ("30 Rock," 2008 TV Series): A reclusive and wealthy businessman with a secretive nature.
  • Gavin Q. Baker III ("Charmed," 1998 TV Series): A powerful warlock who poses a significant threat to the Halliwell sisters.
  • Gavin Walker ("Knight Rider," 2008 TV Series): A tech-savvy entrepreneur with a hidden agenda.
  • "Gavin DeGraw" (2003 Album): A self-titled album by the American singer-songwriter featuring hits like "I Don't Want to Be."
  • Gavin Harris ("Goal!," 2005 Film): A professional footballer who mentors a young aspiring player.
  • Gavin Skelton ("Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," 2014 Film): A member of the human colony struggling for survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
  • Gavin Lake (British Columbia, Canada): A serene lake in British Columbia offering opportunities for fishing and camping.
  • Gavin Park (Saratoga Springs, New York, USA): A community park in Saratoga Springs featuring sports fields and recreational facilities.
  • Gavin Stream (Canterbury, New Zealand): A small stream in Canterbury known for its clear waters and natural beauty.
  • Gavin Hill (Otago, New Zealand): A picturesque hill in Otago offering hiking trails and scenic views.
  • Gavin Middle School (Boston, Massachusetts, USA): A public middle school in Boston providing education to local students.
  • Gavin Reservoir (Colorado, USA): A reservoir in Colorado used for water storage and recreational activities like boating and fishing.
  • Gavin Canyon (California, USA): A scenic canyon in California, perfect for hiking and nature walks.

Similar Names to Gavin

Sibling Names for Gavin