Gavan is an Irish surname and given name, derived from the Irish sept name MacGabhann. It is composed of two elements: "Mac," which means 'son of,' and "Gabhann," a personal name thought to be derived from the Irish word "gabhar," meaning 'goat.' Therefore, Gavan can be interpreted as 'son of Gabhan' or 'son of goat.' Historically, the MacGabhanns were a sept of the Dal Riata, an ancient Gaelic-speaking people who lived in Ireland and Scotland. The name Gavan is associated with this historic lineage and has been carried by many notable individuals throughout history.
"Gavan has experienced significant fluctuations in its popularity over the decades. The name peaked in usage during the early 2000s, with a notable high of 80 births in 2003. However, it seems to have declined steadily since then, with only 5 births recorded in 2022."