In the 1970s, he capably captained the Pacific Princess. But he’s been an adventurer for centuries and has taken on a measure of cowboy cool in recent years.
Thanks to Emmy Jo for suggesting Gavin as Name of the Day.
Most nameniks know that Gavin comes from the medieval Gawain, he of the Round Table. Trace him back a little farther and he’s probably linked to Gwalchmai, Gwalchmei or possibly Gwalchgwyn. We know Gwalchmai and variants were in use in the 1100s because a famous court poet wore the name, and passed it on to his sons. The name also appears throughout traditional Welsh tales.
As for Gawain, he’s among the most famous of the Arthurian knights. The 14th century tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight recounts his adventures lopping off heads, flirting with beautiful women and ultimately cheating death. Some read it as a simple tale of derring-do, but it has been much interpreted by scholars aplenty. The story inspired a 1978 opera and at least three film adaptations, including a 1984 version featuring Sean Connery as the Green Knight.
Gawain has never been revived in the US, but Gavin charted here starting in the 1950s. It’s tempting to link the name’s rise to the career of actor Gavin MacLeod (born Allan George See), but the name was already rising by the time MacLeod’s roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat cemented his fame in the 70s.
In fact, Gavin has been used sparingly since the nineteenth century. It seems logical that the Victorians would revive him, what with their love of historical and legendary appellations. Sir Gavin de Beer, future director of the British Museum of Natural History, was born in 1899; JM Barrie’s novel-turned-play The Little Minister about cleric Gavin Dishart was written in 1891. (And became a movie co-starring Katharine Hepburn in 1934.)
By the 1950s, two-syllable, ends-in-n names for boys were just starting to gain in popularity. Brian, Jason, Ryan and Brendan were all on the rise. Odds are that Gavin had been lurking in baby name books for decades, just waiting to be discovered.
A handful of famous Gavins today includes musician Gavin Rossdale, father to Kingston and Zuma; San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsome and a handful of athletes. It is also a surname worn by actor John Gavin (he would’ve played James Bond, but Sean Connery returned to the role) and distinguished World War II General James Gavin.
Today, Gavin charts at #32 in the US as of 2007 – his highest rank yet. But this is one of those names that fares far better in certain parts of the country:
- In Wyoming, he’s #3, second only to Ethan (#1) and James (#2);
- In South Dakota, he’s #4, while Ethan again holds the top spot;
- He’s #6 in North Dakota (where Logan is #1) and also #6 in Iowa (again, Ethan is #1);
- And Gavin comes in at #9 in Minnesota, where Jacob is most popular.
His heavy use in the Western states lends Gavin a certain cowboy cachet – and highlights the style divide between different parts of the country.
Overall, Gavin emerges as a sensible choice. He’s got plenty of history and dash without being at all unfamiliar.
Why bring Vegemite into it, Sarah? 😉
Emmy Jo, Gawain is definitely more inspired than Gavin, but I think you’re probably right, ga WAYN is more likely the first-guess pronunciation of most (including me)… However, I think that the sound of GOW in is not difficult, so once you let someone know that’s the way to say it, it wouldn’t be a stuggle to pronounce. I must say, GOW in is far more appealing to my ears than ga WAYN. But, there’d likely be a whole lot of pronunciation coaching in your and your child’s future if used.
What?!?!
I had no idea that Gavin was popular again! I don’t know how it sounds to you USA-ers but here in Australia I doubt wether or not he will make it into the ranks any time soon.
For me Gavin might possibly have gone to school with Barry, Roy and Bruce and dated Sandra, Sue and Rhonda. Not so ‘Now’.
But we Australians like Vegemite and you USA-ers don’t quite get that either.
I completely agree with Cat as well. I know three Gavins, one in his 20s, and the other two are pre-school age. 20 year old Gavin seems much more inspired.
In my defense, it was Gawain that I suggested for Name of the Day. 🙂
The first time I heard the name Gavin was on one of my college friends. Its current popularity is a bit off-putting. Still, since I’m familiar with its medieval roots, it retains some of its appeal. Same thing with Caleb — to me, he’s the brave biblical spy, and not simply the choice of the so-called “Walmart set.” Our opinions of names have so much to do with our first associations. Part of this might be geographic as well — both names are significantly less popular in California (where I live) than nationally, and when I first started liking Caleb, he wasn’t even in the top 100 for my state. Connor, on the other hand, is very bland to me. But who knows — if I were a big-time Irish history buff, maybe it would feel like a meaningful choice instead of the name everyone else is choosing.
I read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in college — in the original Middle English. It’s a great story. That got me thinking about the usability of Gawain as a name. We always pronounced it GOW-in in my college classes, but I worry most people would want to say ga-WAYN.
If our last name didn’t start with a G, I just might be pushing for Gawain or Gareth for one of our sons! As it stands, my husband hates alliterative names, so they’re both out.
I’m with Cat on all points. Connor, Caleb and Gavin are big yucks.
I dislike Gavin. I find it new-agey and tepid. It reminds me of Connor and Caleb in feel, just bland.
I more or less agree with JNE.
Don’t know any Gavins here in NC and I am neutral to positive on the name. My first association was Gavin Rossdale, too. There’s also mildly popular Gavin Degraw in the music industry. Gavin and Kevin are similar sounds for me. And I’m not a huge fan of Kevin. It’s fine. Not exciting. Gavin has a great origination, but it just doesn’t retain it entirely in my opinion. It’s fine, but not thrilling.
I don’t mind Gavin nearly as much now that I’m away from the NJ/SI area. I know at least 7 Gavins between the ages of 10 and 3 persionally and probably a few more by assocation! I was getting tired of Gavin until I moved. Now I never hear Gavin and I can easily see his charm again. He’s strong, handsome and easy on the eyes. He’s got that snappy “v’ right there in the middle and a solid sound. Funny, I immediately went to Gavin Rossdale but forgot about Gavin MacLeod. And My siblings & I watched “Love Boat” probably more than anything as preteens (I was the one that preferred “Fantasy Island”). Gavin’s a bit trendy for me, personally but I don’t mind him on anyone else’s boy. Pretty snazzy, Gavin is. 😀
This is another that used to be my favorite, right around the same time as Brendan. I had a huge crush on Gavin Rossdale back when Bush was popular. Then I lived in San Francisco, and Gavin Newsom is super hot. But then, I worked at a preschool and there were 3 Gavins, two of them were the two absolute worst behaved kids in the school, and the other was just really weird. So, that really puts a damper on the name, for me. Which is a shame, because I really love the sound and feel of it. It’s not cowboy at all, too me. It’s sexy rockstar.