Cavan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAV-ən /ˈkæv.ən/High

Meaning: From the Irish county Cavan ('the hollow') or the name Caomhán, 'handsome, gentle'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Irish and warm: Cavan is the county-name 'the hollow' — and echoes Caomhán, 'handsome, gentle'. Crisp, lyrical, and distinctive.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumIrish

MeaningFrom the Irish county Cavan ('the hollow') or the name Caomhán, 'handsome, gentle'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#3456 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births33 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,714

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cavan comes from the Irish county An Cabhán, 'the hollow', and overlaps Caomhán, 'handsome, gentle one' (a saint's name, root of Kevin; routes layered, which we note). It's crisp and warmly Irish.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, hollow-or-handsome at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Cavan is an Irish county whose name means 'the hollow' — and it echoes Caomhán, 'handsome, gentle one' (the root of Kevin); a warm, lyrical name.

Overall data confidence 68%

Behind the Name — Cavan — routes layered

Variations

CavinCaomhánKavan

Nicknames

Cav

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cavan…

Kevin— the related 'handsome' name

Cian— a fellow Irish name

Gavin— a rhyming -avin name

Ronan— a companion Irish name

Explore names like Cavan

By themeuncertain irish place-name

By meaningBeauty Gentle / Kind

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cavan mean?

Cavan is the Irish county 'the hollow', and echoes Caomhán, 'handsome, gentle'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Cavan?

It's said KAV-ən /ˈkæv.ən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cavan a boy or girl name?

Cavan is a boy's name.

How popular is Cavan?

Cavan is a rare name in the U.S.