What Does the Name Kevin Mean?
Kevin is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning “handsome, comely.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Kevin |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Irish |
| Meaning | handsome, comely |
| Variants | Kev, Kevan, Caoimhin, Cefin, Kevon |
| Popularity | A US top 20 boys' name in the 1960s-1990s. |
The meaning and origin of Kevin
The name Kevin means “handsome, comely” and has Irish origins. Anglicized form of the Irish Caoimhin, from an element meaning 'handsome' or 'gentle, kind', borne by Saint Kevin, the 6th-century founder of the monastery at Glendalough. It became hugely popular outside Ireland in the mid-20th century.
Variants and related names
Kevin is related to several other names you may recognize: Kev, Kevan, Caoimhin, Cefin, Kevon. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Kevin?
A US top 20 boys' name in the 1960s-1990s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kevin mean?+
The name Kevin means “handsome, comely” and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of the name Kevin?+
Kevin originates from Irish.
Is Kevin a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Kevin has trended in the US over time.
Kevin by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press