How Many People Are Named Kelvin?
Complete statistics for the name Kelvin: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Kelvin means 'hot' in Greek and has been a rare choice for boys since records began. Only 1 in 7,147 Americans today go by this name, making it pretty unique. The name peaked in popularity back in 1961 but has seen a steady decline since then.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 1 represents leadership and independence.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 44All 51,638 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1961Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Kelvin Through the Generations
Kelvin's journey through the generations shows a name that once had its moment in the sun but now is more of a classic choice for those who appreciate its uniqueness. With 46,172 people named Kelvin currently living in the United States, the name's peak year was 1961 when 1,380 babies were given this moniker. Today, the age distribution is fairly even, with 26% under 30, 48% aged 30-60, and another 26% over 60, indicating a consistent appeal across different age groups.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Kelvin
Kelvin is a masculine given name, ultimately derived from the title of William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who received a baronage named for the River Kelvin in 1892. Isolated use of Kelvin as a given name is recorded in England in the 1920s, and the name rises in popularity in the United States around 1950, according to the authors of the Oxford Dictionary of First Names possibly by association with the similar-sounding Kevin, which surged in popularity at about the same time, and may be further influenced by Calvin and Melvin. In the United States the name peaked in popularity at rank 209 in …
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Kelvin's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Kelvin
How Many People Have the Name Kelvin?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 179 people in the United States currently share the name Kelvin. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,851,672 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Kelvin a Common or Rare Name?
Kelvin is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Kelvin Mean?
Kelvin means "hot" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 1.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Kelvin in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Kelvin Most Popular?
The name Kelvin reached peak popularity in 1961, with 1,380 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Kelvin?
Approximately 179 people named Kelvin live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 179. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,851,672 Americans.
Is Kelvin a rare name?
Kelvin is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,851,672 Americans has this name.
What does the name Kelvin mean?
Kelvin means "hot" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Kelvin more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Kelvin are male and 1% are female.
When was Kelvin most popular?
Kelvin peaked in 1961 with 1,380 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.