Irvin is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. It is a variant spelling of the more common names Erwin or Irving, which are derived from the German name Erwig.
The meaning of Irvin is "strong" or "peaceful," depending on whether it is traced back to its Germanic roots. The name Erwig is composed of the elements "er" meaning "strong" and "wig" meaning "war." Therefore, Irvin can be interpreted as a name that signifies strength and peace.
Historically, Irvin has not been a particularly popular name in terms of usage or popularity rankings. However, it has appeared occasionally throughout history. For instance, there was an American politician named Irvin McDowell who served during the Civil War era. Additionally, Irish writer George Bernard Shaw used the name Irvin for one of his characters in his play "The Devil's Disciple."
In recent times, Irvin has gained some popularity as a unisex name, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. Despite its relatively low usage compared to names like Erwin or Irving, Irvin still offers a unique and distinctive option for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.
In conclusion, Irvin is a name of English origin with a Germanic root meaning "strong" or "peaceful." While not extremely popular historically, it has appeared sporadically throughout history and gained some recent popularity as a unisex name. Its meaning makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a strong yet peaceful-sounding name for their child.
The name Irvin experienced significant variations in popularity over the years, with a notable peak during World War I. Between 1914 and 1918, there were consistently over 700 births each year, peaking at 798 in 1918. However, by the late 1930s, popularity began to decline sharply, reaching an all-time low of 73 births in 2023. Overall, Irvin has been given as a birth name 39,768 times since 1880.