Gavin is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #947 in 2012 with 31 recorded births. This places Gavin in the top 15% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Uncommon. The name reached its all-time peak in 1996 with 176 births ranking #185. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 82.4%. In 2012, approximately 1 in every 11,239 boys born was named Gavin. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Gavin is a long-established Celtic-rooted name with a polished, friendly sound. It is often linked with meanings such as "white hawk", though the historical lines behind it are somewhat layered.
The name has been used in Scotland and elsewhere in Britain for many centuries and later spread widely through the English-speaking world. It feels modern without ever losing its traditional base.