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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cavanaugh

Cavanaugh

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Cavanaugh

Pronounced KAV-uh-naw /ˈkæv.ə.nɔ/Medium

Meaning: An Irish surname, a form of Kavanagh (Caomhanach) — 'descendant or follower of Caomhan / Kevin' (from 'caomh', 'gentle, kind, beloved'). A sturdy Irish surname-style pick.Low

In 30 seconds: A three-beat name: Cavanaugh — an Irish surname (a form of Kavanagh) (said 'KAV-uh-naw'). An Irish surname-name, a form of Kavanagh, which we note.
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Origin LowIrish
MeaningAn Irish surname, a form of Kavanagh (Caomhanach) — 'descendant or follower of Caomhan / Kevin' (from 'caomh', 'gentle, kind, beloved'). A sturdy Irish surname-style pick.
U.S. rank (2022)#9126 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 54

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220022022

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

Cavanaugh is an Irish surname, a form of Kavanagh ('follower of Kevin'); an Irish surname-name (said 'KAV-uh-naw').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, Irish, and sturdy.

Did you know? Cavanaugh is a form of the Irish surname Kavanagh — 'follower of Caomhan or Kevin', from 'caomh' ('gentle, beloved') — worn now as a first name (said 'KAV-uh-naw').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Cavanaugh — Irish surname; form of Kavanagh

Variations

KavanaghCavanagh

Nicknames

Cav

Famous Bearers

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If you like Cavanaugh…

Donovan— a like Irish surname-name
Sullivan— a like Irish surname-name
Callahan— a like Irish -han surname
Brennan— a like Irish surname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cavanaugh mean?

Cavanaugh is an Irish surname, a form of Kavanagh, 'follower of Caomhan or Kevin', from 'caomh' ('gentle, beloved').

How do you pronounce Cavanaugh?

It's said KAV-uh-naw /ˈkæv.ə.nɔ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cavanaugh a boy or girl name?

Here Cavanaugh is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Cavanaugh?

Cavanaugh is extremely rare in the U.S. — a deep-tail, newly emerging name.

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