Kelvin

Meaning: Possibly narrow river
Origin: Scottish Gaelic — From the River Kelvin in Scotland

Boy's name · #1036 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Kelvin — on the books since 1912, #1036 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 52,000 boys have carried the name since.

Across the states

See where Kelvin is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 23 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Kelvin ranks in other countries and regions.

#324 in Ecuador (2025) · #834 in Sweden (2025) · #1,274 in Italy (2024) · #1,538 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,943 in France (2025) · #2,789 in Canada (2025) · #252 in Puerto Rico (2024) · #728 in Scotland (2023) · #2,613 in Austria (2023) · #779 in Ireland (2022) · #1,416 in Belgium (2021) · #392 in N. Ireland (2020) and 6 more.

Famous Kelvins

Kelvin Kiptum — Kenyan long-distance runner (1999–2024)
Kelvin Harrison Jr. — American actor (born 1994)
Kelvin Gastelum — American mixed martial arts fighter (born 1991)
Kelvin Sampson — American basketball coach (born 1955)
Kelvin Fletcher — British actor and racing driver (born 1984)

In stories & tradition

Kelvin Carpenter — Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders
Kelvin — Steun (film)

What Kelvins become

Among 439 notable people named Kelvin:

Sports figures appear 3.03× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kelvin Kiptum, Kenyan long-distance runner (1999–2024).

Similar names: Darren · Kenny · Tyrone · Marvin · Kelly · Cedric

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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