"handsome, comely, gentle"
Origin: Irish Gaelic (Caomhán)
Language: Irish
Kaven
Does Kaven flow with your last name?
An Irish gem meaning handsome — Kevin's rarer cousin
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"dear, beloved"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
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The Story of Kaven
Kaven is a variant spelling of Caomhán, an Irish name derived from 'caomh' meaning handsome, gentle, or dear. The anglicized forms include Kevin, Cavan, and Kavan. Saint Caomhán was an early Irish saint associated with County Tipperary. Kaven is a modern phonetic spelling that preserves the Irish pronunciation while making it accessible to English speakers.
Kaven is a rare variant of the extremely popular Kevin, offering parents an Irish-rooted alternative that feels more distinctive. While Kevin peaked in the US in the 1960s-1970s, Kaven maintains an original, less common feel that appeals to parents with Irish heritage seeking authenticity.
The Irish name Caomhán honors several early Christian saints in Ireland. County Cavan in Ulster takes its name from the same root, meaning 'hollow' or 'cave' — though linguists debate whether the place and name share etymology.
Historical Record
Kaven first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 929 babies have been named Kaven in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kaven is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,100 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kevin comes from the Irish Caoimhín, the name of Saint Kevin of Glendalough, one of Ireland's most beloved saints
- County Cavan in Ireland is one of the traditional Ulster counties
- Kevin Bacon, Kevin Costner, and Kevin Hart have all contributed to Kevin's fame — Kaven offers that energy with a more distinctive twist
Kaven in Other Languages
Irish
Caomhán
Welsh
Cefin
French
Kaven
German
Kevin
Spanish
Kevin
Popularity Over Time
#5,100
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kaven
K
Kevin Hart
Entertainer
1979
American stand-up comedian and actor, one of the highest-grossing comedians of his generation
K
Kevin Spacey
Actor
1959
American actor and two-time Academy Award winner known for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty
S
Saint Kevin of Glendalough
Religious
6th-century Irish monastic saint who founded the monastery of Glendalough in County Wicklow, one of Ireland's holiest si...
6th-century Irish monastic saint who founded the monastery of Glendalough in County Wicklow, one of Ireland's holiest sites
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Compare Kaven with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,100
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Kav
Kave
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kaven
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Kaven
Phonetic neighbors that share Kaven's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kaven
What does the name Kaven mean?
"handsome, comely, gentle" (from Irish Gaelic (Caomhán)). "dear, beloved" (from Old Irish). Kaven is a variant spelling of Caomhán, an Irish name derived from 'caomh' meaning handsome, gentle, or dear. The anglicized forms include Kevin, Cavan, and Kavan. Saint Caomhán was an early Irish saint associated with County Tipperary. Kaven is a modern phonetic spelling that preserves the Irish pronunciation while making it accessible to English speakers.
What is the origin of the name Kaven?
Kaven has Irish Gaelic (Caomhán), Old Irish, Irish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic (Caomhán), it means "handsome, comely, gentle". In Old Irish, it means "dear, beloved".
Is Kaven a boy or girl name?
Kaven is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kaven?
Kaven is currently ranked #5100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kaven?
Common nicknames for Kaven include Kav and Kave.
What are good middle names for Kaven?
Popular middle name pairings include Kaven James, Kaven Patrick, Kaven Michael, Kaven Thomas, Kaven Ryan, Kaven Sean, and Kaven Daniel.
What are good sibling names for Kaven?
Names that pair well with Kaven as siblings include Declan, Brendan, Ronan, Finn, Sienna, Niamh, Aoife, and Caitlin.
How many syllables does Kaven have?
Kaven has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kaven a common or rare name?
Kaven is an uncommon name, ranked #5100 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Kaven
Kaven is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "handsome, comely, gentle" in Irish Gaelic (Caomhán) .
Kaven is currently ranked #5,100 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kaven has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kaven include Kav and Kave. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis