Kelvin is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cwelm" which means "wise" or "strong-willed". It is also associated with the Kelvin River in Scotland, giving it a Scottish connection as well.
The name Kelvin has a rich history that dates back to medieval times. In the 10th century, there was a Saint Chelm who was an Irish abbot and missionary. Although his name was later Latinized to "Chelim," it is believed that the modern name Kelvin evolved from this original form.
In the 19th century, the name Kelvin became more popular due to its association with the Kelvin scale of temperature, named after William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, a Scottish mathematician and physicist who formulated the concept of absolute zero in thermodynamics. This further solidified the name's connection to Scotland and science.
Today, Kelvin is still considered a strong and powerful name, fitting for those who embody wisdom and strength of character. It remains popular among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their children. Despite its historical roots, Kelvin is not associated with any specific cultural traditions or celebrations. Instead, it stands as a timeless name with a rich heritage that spans centuries and continents.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kelvin experienced significant popularity increases from the mid-20th century onwards. There was a sharp rise in births with the name Kelvin starting around 1950, peaking between 1956 and 1963 with over 1300 births per year during those years. However, this trend began to decline consistently after the late 1960s, reaching its lowest point in recent years with fewer than 300 births annually since 2016. Overall, there were a total of 51,129 births named Kelvin between 1912 and 2023.