Names › Boys' names › C › Calvin

Calvin

Meaning: little bald one · Origin: French · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

From the surname of John Calvin (Cauvin), the Protestant reformer, from Latin calvus, 'bald'.

Famous people named Calvin

Calvin Coolidge (US president)
Calvin Klein (designer)

Nicknames

Cal

Variants & related names

Calvino, Kalvin

Calvin name art

A free preview of a printable “Calvin” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Calvin mean?

Calvin means “little bald one”. It comes from French.

Is Calvin a popular name?

Yes — Calvin has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Calvin?

Cal.

What are other forms of Calvin?

Calvino, Kalvin.

Similar names

Beau · Grant · Oliver · Carter · Christopher · Caleb

More: names starting with C · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.