Calvin

In This Article

Origin, Meaning, And History Of Calvin

The name Calvin is related to the French surname ‘Chauvin,’ derived from the Latin word ‘chauve,’ a Roman cognomen, a literal translation of the word ‘bald.’

The history of the name is related to the French Protestant reformer John Calvin. He was a theologian and ecclesiastical salesman—one of the most famous and influential figures in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. The Calvinist form of Protestantism significantly impacted the modern world.

The 1831 vaudeville, ‘La Cocarde Tricolore,’ may also have influenced the name. A soldier in Napoleon’s Grand Armee, Nicholas Chauvin, displayed extreme patriotism and the word ‘chauvinism’ was formed. There are suggestions that the name was based on a real person since the surname Chauvin was popular in Napoleon’s army.

Calvin Richard Klein, the renowned American fashion designer of today’s era, has become the most prominent individual associated with this name. Klein gained widespread recognition by creating minimalist and straightforward sportswear, eventually expanding into high-end couture and the iconic CK jeans. He further strengthened his brand by licensing his products and garnered a massive fan base, with many striving to achieve the distinctive Calvin Klein aesthetic.

The name Calvin can be phonetically pronounced as ‘kal-vin’ and is sometimes considered a variation of the names Colvin and Kelvin. While more frequently used as a given name, it is less commonly used as a surname. Some common diminutives of Calvin include Cal, Cav, and Vinnie.

Bill Watterson created the comic strip ‘Calvin and Hobbes,’ which follows six-year-old Calvin and his tiger named Hobbes. The comic strip remains appropriate to this date and has considerably influenced American culture. It evokes a feeling of nostalgia and captures life in the American Midwest.

The name was also popularized by the award-winning film Django Unchained directed by Quentin Tarantino. Leonardo Dicaprio plays the role of Calvin Candie, one of the main antagonists in the movie. In addition, Calvin Maxwell, the protagonist from the children’s television series Power Rangers Ninja Steel, and Calvin Zabo, a supervillain from American comic books by Marvel Comics, are some other notable fictional characters with this name.

Calvin

heart image
Bald
Boy
Christianity
English, Norman
7
Two
1 word, 6 letters, 2 vowels, 4 consonants
Medium length and easy to pronounce

How To Pronounce Calvin?

Pronounced as kal-vun

The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.

Listen to the sound of the name Calvin in English.

Famous People With The Name Calvin

  • John Calvin Coolidge Jr.American attorney and politician, 30th President of the United States
  • Calvin HarrisScottish DJ, record producer, singer and songwriter, won 18 Brit and 5 Grammy nominations
  • Calvin Lee AndersonAmerican footballer, offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL)
  • Calvin Johnson Jr.American former footballer, played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Detroit Lions
  • Calvin BorelAmerican jockey, first jockey to win the first two jewels of the Triple Crown on two different mounts
  • Calvin PeeteAfrican-American professional golfer, the most successful African-American to have played the PGA tour with 12 wins prior to Tiger Woods’s emergence
  • Calvin SmithAmerican former sprint track and field athlete, former record holder in the 100-meter sprint

Calvin On The Popularity Chart

According to the US Social Security Administration, Calvin saw a modest increase in its popularity from 2011 to 2016, when 2793 babies per million got this name. Look at the graph below to better understand Calvin’s popularity performance over the years.

Popularity Over Time

The popularity of the name Calvin experienced a slight decline in 2017. However, it improved in 2018 before dropping again in 2019.

Source: Social Security Administration

Rank Over Time

Calvin’s ranking reached its lowest point in 2007. However, since 2008, there has been some improvement in its popularity.

Source: Social Security Administration

Names With Similar Sound As Calvin

Are you intrigued by Calvin’s sound and want to explore more similar-sounding names? Here are a few adorable options for you.

Popular Sibling Names For Calvin

If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Calvin, check our suggestions here.

Boy Sibling Names For Calvin

Find matching brother names for Calvin and create a wonderful team of siblings.

Calvino heart imageClavance heart imageCleavant heart imageCleavon heart imageClevon heart imageColvin heart imageGalvin heart imageKalaivanan heart imageKalaivendan heart imageKalavan heart image

Girl Sibling Names For Calvin

Looking for some suitable sister names for Calvin? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.

Calfuray heart imageCalifornia heart imageCalvina heart imageCalvine heart imageClaefer heart imageClavel heart imageCleva heart imageClove heart imageClover heart imageGlafira heart image

Other Popular Names Beginning With C

Looking for more baby names starting with the letter C to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.

Names With Similar Meaning As Calvin

Numerous names have comparable meanings to Calvin. Below are some meaningful options you may consider.

Infographic: Know The Name Calvin‘s Personality As Per Numerology

name-numerology-for-Calvin-boy

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

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How To Communicate The Name Calvin In Other Languages

In Nautical Flags

calvin

In Sign Language

calvin

In Braille Alphabet

calvin

In Morse Code

calvin

Name Numerology For Calvin

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the meaning of the name Calvin?

The name Calvin means ‘bald.’

2. What is the origin of the name Calvin?

Calvin has Latin and French origins.

3. How to pronounce the name Calvin?

Calvin is pronounced as kal-vun.

4. What are some middle names that go well with the name Calvin?

Calvin means ‘bald’ and is also associated with a popular comic character. Hence, you can use names associated with either of these as middle names. Gray, signifying the color gray, and Julius, meaning ‘downy-bearded,’ are connected in some way to hair and can make decent middle names for Calvin. Hobbes, taken from the popular comic itself, and Luke, meaning ‘from Lucania’ and the name of Luke Skywalker, are some middle name options from fictional characters.

5. What are some nicknames for the name Calvin?

Cal, Cally, Callie, Vin, and Vince could be some nicknames for Calvin. Parents may make other cool nicknames too.

6. Is Calvin a popular choice for baby names?

Yes, Calvin is quite a popular choice of name for baby boys. In 2022, Calvin ranked 148 with 2,576 babies sharing this name in the US (1).

7. What are the characteristics or traits associated with people named Calvin?

According to numerology, people named Calvin have a personality number of 6. This means that they are understanding and have a compassionate nature. They are also romantic, protective, and faithful, which are excellent qualities in a partner. Besides, they are creative and have a great sense of taste and color. However, do remember that not all babies with the name may exhibit these traits.

References:

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  1. Popularity of name Calvin.
    https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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