Declining since 1988, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kerwin since 1913
Babies named Kerwin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 33 |
| 1920s | 71 |
| 1930s | 84 |
| 1940s | 113 |
| 1950s | 384 |
| 1960s | 559 |
| 1970s | 318 |
| 1980s | 332 |
| 1990s | 228 |
| 2000s | 189 |
| 2010s | 111 |
| 2020s | 48 |
Meaning & origin
Kerwin is a name that has never broken into the mainstream, but it carries a distinctive Irish heritage. First recorded in 1913, it saw its highest usage in the 1950s, peaking in 1959. Since 1988, its use has been on a downward trajectory, and today it is exceptionally rare, with only about 1 in 341,615 newborns receiving the name in 2025. The name's obscurity may appeal to parents seeking something genuinely uncommon with Celtic roots, without the burden of popularity.
Kerwin likely derives from the Irish surname Ó Ciarmhain, meaning 'descendant of Ciarmhán', a personal name possibly related to 'ciar' meaning 'dark' or 'black'. Alternatively, it may be an anglicized form of the Welsh name Cerwyn. The name gained some use as a given name in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States. It has never been common, with its peak popularity in 1959.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kerry, Win
Variants: Curwin, Kerwyn
Sibling names for Kerwin
Names that share Kerwin's style, for a brother or sister.
