Kelvin
Gender: Boy
Meaning: River in Scotland, narrow river
Origin: Scottish
Popularity: Ranked #1036 in 2025 with 214 babies born.
History: Kelvin derives from the River Kelvin in Glasgow, Scotland, whose name comes from a Gaelic root meaning narrow water. The name was made famous by physicist Lord Kelvin, who established the absolute temperature scale named after him. As a given name it has been used in English-speaking countries and is popular in some Caribbean and African communities.
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Kelvin? About 1 in 15,554 babies born in 2025 were named Kelvin, or roughly 0.6 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Kelvin
What does the name Kelvin mean?
Kelvin means “River in Scotland, narrow river” from Scottish roots.
What is the origin of the name Kelvin?
Kelvin has Scottish origin. The traditional meaning is “River in Scotland, narrow river”.
How popular is Kelvin?
Kelvin ranked #1034 in 2025 — given to 214 babies that year.
When was Kelvin most popular?
Kelvin peaked in 1961 with 1,370 babies registered that year.
Is Kelvin a boy or girl name?
Kelvin is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Kelvins in registered births are male.
Is the name Kelvin rising or falling in popularity?
Kelvin has fallen 111 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #923 in 2020 to #1034 in 2025.
How long has Kelvin been recorded?
Kelvin appears in birth records across 105 years — from 1912 through 2025.