Rising since 2021, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Kervin since 1916
Babies named Kervin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 12 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 79 |
| 1960s | 227 |
| 1970s | 197 |
| 1980s | 288 |
| 1990s | 288 |
| 2000s | 205 |
| 2010s | 136 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Kervin is a rare given name, first recorded in the United States in 1916. Its peak popularity occurred in 1989, when it ranked 2,726th. After a period of decline, the name has been rising in usage since 2021, though it remains uncommon, with only about 1 in 122,005 boys receiving the name in 2023. Likely an Anglicized variant of the Irish Ciarán, meaning "little dark one," Kervin shares roots with the more familiar Kevin. Despite its Irish origins, the name has not been heavily concentrated in any particular U.S. state. Its rarity appeals to parents seeking a distinctive but accessible name with Irish heritage.
Kervin is likely a modern spelling variant of Kervyn, an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ciarán, derived from the Gaelic "ciar" meaning "dark" or "black" and the diminutive suffix "-án," thus "little dark one." The name entered English usage in the early 20th century, with its first recorded appearance in U.S. birth data in 1916. It remains uncommon, with popularity peaking in 1989 at rank 2,726.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kerry, Vin, Kev
Sibling names for Kervin
Names that share Kervin's style, for a brother or sister.
