Irish boy name
Kevin Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Kevin means kind, gentle birth. From Caoimhín, from caomh, 'kind, gentle', and gein, 'birth'
Kevin is the anglicised form of Caoimhín, formed from caomh, meaning kind or gentle, and gein, meaning birth. Saint Kevin of Glendalough, who died around 618, is one of Ireland's best-loved saints, famed for his hermit life beside the lakes of Wicklow. The name spread worldwide in the twentieth century, but it began in the Irish tradition. Kevin Barry, an Irish republican executed in 1920, was another well-known bearer, remembered in song. The Irish form is difficult for outsiders to spell, but Kevin is simple and universally readable, and it works equally well in Ireland and abroad.
Variants of Kevin
CaoimhínKevanKevynKeven
Well-known people named Kevin
Kevin Barry.
Kevin popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Kevin ranked #138 in Ireland (39 babies) and #221 in the US (1,628 babies). The two countries rank it at a similar level.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kevin mean?
Kevin means "kind, gentle birth". From Caoimhín, from caomh, 'kind, gentle', and gein, 'birth'.
How do you pronounce Kevin?
Kevin is pronounced KEV-in.
What is the origin of Kevin?
Kevin is of Irish origin. From Caoimhín, from caomh, 'kind, gentle', and gein, 'birth'.