Calvin

Pronunciation: [ k-ALV-uhn ]

Boy Name #140 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Intellectual heritage meets modern cool

English American French

Classic Strong Sophisticated Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"bald, hairless"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

"derived from Calvus, bald"

Origin: French from Latin

Language: French

"from the surname Cauvin"

Origin: French

Language: French

The Story of Calvin

Calvin derives from the Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald,' which became the French surname Cauvin before being Latinized to Calvinus. The name gained its greatest prominence through John Calvin, the 16th-century French theologian and reformer whose influence on Protestantism was so profound that his followers became known as Calvinists. The name spread through Protestant communities across Europe and America as a tribute to his religious legacy.

Calvin enjoyed steady popularity in America throughout the 20th century, partly due to President Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929). It experienced a cultural renaissance in the 1980s thanks to Calvin Klein's fashion empire and the beloved comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (1985-1995), which gave the name a playful, intellectual connotation.

The name carries strong Calvinist Protestant heritage and is particularly honored in Reformed Christian traditions. Calvin Klein transformed the name into a symbol of American fashion luxury, while Bill Watterson's mischievous Calvin gave it a literary warmth.

Fun Facts

Calvin Coolidge was the only US President born on July 4th
Calvin and Hobbes ran for 10 years and remains the best-selling comic strip collection of all time
John Calvin's real surname was Cauvin — he Latinized it to Calvinus

Calvin in Other Languages

Dutch Calvijn

French Calvin

German Calvin

Italian Calvino

Spanish Calvino

Famous People Named Calvin

Calvin Harris

Musician

1984

Scottish DJ and record producer, one of the highest-earning musicians in electronic music

Calvin Klein

Business

1942

American fashion designer and business executive

Calvin Coolidge

Politician

1872

30th President of the United States (1923-1929), known for his quiet demeanor

John Calvin

Religious

1509

French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation, founder of Calvinism

Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes) Fictional

Other

Imaginative, mischievous 6-year-old protagonist of Bill Watterson's beloved comic strip

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #140
Total SSA Count: 2,568
Cultural Origins: English American French
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Cal Vin

Pairs Well With

Calvin James Calvin Lee Calvin Edward Calvin Thomas Calvin William Calvin John Calvin Ray

Sibling Names

Miles Elijah Nora Clara Owen Theo Hazel

Also a Girl Name

Calvin is also used as a girl name, ranked #69584.

View Calvin as a girl name →

Similar Names

David Melvin Alvin Ervin Allan Elvin Justin Jarvis

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Calvin

What does the name Calvin mean?

"bald, hairless" (from Latin). "derived from Calvus, bald" (from French from Latin). "from the surname Cauvin" (from French). Calvin derives from the Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald,' which became the French surname Cauvin before being Latinized to Calvinus. The name gained its greatest prominence through John Calvin, the 16th-century French theologian and reformer whose influence on Protestantism was so profound that his followers became known as Calvinists. The name spread through Protestant communities across Europe and America as a tribute to his religious legacy.

What is the origin of the name Calvin?

Calvin has Latin, French from Latin, French, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "bald, hairless". In French from Latin, it means "derived from Calvus, bald". In French, it means "from the surname Cauvin".

Is Calvin a boy or girl name?

Calvin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #140. As a girl name, it is ranked #69584. Calvin is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Calvin?

Calvin is pronounced k-ALV-uhn.

How popular is the name Calvin?

Calvin is currently ranked #140 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Calvin?

Common nicknames for Calvin include Cal and Vin.

What are good middle names for Calvin?

Popular middle name pairings include Calvin James, Calvin Lee, Calvin Edward, Calvin Thomas, Calvin William, Calvin John, and Calvin Ray.

What are good sibling names for Calvin?

Names that pair well with Calvin as siblings include Miles, Elijah, Nora, Clara, Owen, Theo, and Hazel.

How many syllables does Calvin have?

Calvin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Calvin a common or rare name?

Calvin is a popular name, ranked #140 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Calvin

Calvin is a boy name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "bald, hairless" in Latin .

Is Calvin a boy or girl name? Calvin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #140 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,584. Calvin is more commonly used as a boy name.

Calvin is currently ranked #140 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Calvin has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-ALV-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Calvin include Cal and Vin. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.