Irvin
Irvin is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Green water or boar-friend.
Origin and history
Irvin is a masculine name with roots tracing to Scottish place names, Old English, and Old High German origins, often functioning as a variant of Irvine or Irving. Historically common in the United States throughout the early to mid-20th century, it continues to see steady, traditional usage. Today, it offers a classic vintage feel alongside similar sound-alike traditional names.
Popularity in the United States
39,922 babies in the United States have been named Irvin since 1880. It ranks #575 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1450.
States where it is most popular
- PA (10.9 %)
- CA (9.7 %)
- TX (7.6 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
- VA (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 770 |
| 1890-1900 | 789 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,007 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,259 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,246 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,760 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,893 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,371 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,125 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,188 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,401 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,990 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,115 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,522 |
| 2020-2029 | 486 |
Famous people named Irvin
- Irvin Yalom: Psychiatrist, Author
- Irvin S. Cobb: Author, Humorist
- Irvin McDowell: Military Officer, General
Nicknames
Irv, Irvy
Fun facts
- One primary origin comes from the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland, meaning green water.
- It also evolved as a variant of Irving and Erwin, deriving partly from Germanic elements meaning boar and friend.