Kavik

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAH-vik /ˈkɑ.vɪk/Medium

Meaning: From Inupiaq/Inuit qavvik, 'wolverine' — an animal admired in the North for its toughness. It appears as a place name in Alaska and in northern storytelling. We note it respectfully as an Indigenous word carried into given-name use.Low

In 30 seconds: A northern animal name: Kavik means 'wolverine' in Inupiaq — tough, tenacious (said 'KAH-vik'). An Indigenous word, which we note respectfully.

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Origin MediumInupiaq

MeaningFrom Inupiaq/Inuit qavvik, 'wolverine' — an animal admired in the North for its toughness. It appears as a place name in Alaska and in northern storytelling. We note it respectfully as an Indigenous word carried into given-name use.

U.S. rank (2024)#13230 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 95

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

Kavik comes from the Inupiaq/Inuit word for the wolverine (qavvik), an animal known across the Arctic for toughness and persistence. It survives in Alaskan place names and in northern stories. Used as a given name outside those communities, it should be worn with care and respect, which we note (said 'KAH-vik').

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

Did you know? The wolverine, kavik in Inupiaq, is famous in the far North for its strength far out of proportion to its size. As a name it carries that grit — we note it respectfully as an Indigenous word.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Kavik — Inupiaq/Inuit qavvik 'wolverine'; noted respectfully

Variations

QavvikKavvikKavic

Nicknames

KavVik

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kavik…

Koda— a like short nature-linked pick

Kai— a like brisk one-syllable name

Besnik— lands in the same popularity range

Aadrik— echoes that soft -ik sound

Malik— shares the -ik ending

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kavik mean?

Kavik means 'wolverine' in Inupiaq/Inuit — an Indigenous word we note respectfully.

How do you pronounce Kavik?

It's said KAH-vik /ˈkɑ.vɪk/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kavik a boy or girl name?

Kavik is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Kavik?

Kavik is a rare name for boys in the U.S.