When was Kelvin most popular?

The name Kelvin reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Kelvin Alter?

The name Kelvin Alter combines two different traditions: the first name Kelvin has English roots, while the surname Alter originates from Hebrew.

Kelvin Alter — 51K & 4K bearers

Kelvin Alter is a name that combines English origins. The first name Kelvin is a masculine given name of English origin. Kelvin () is a masculine given name, ultimately derived from the title of William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who received a baronage named for the River Kelvin (the river flowing past the University of Glasgow) in 1892. Isolated use of Kelvin as a given name is recorded in England in the 1920s, and the name rises in popularity in the United States around 1950, according to the authors of the Oxford Dictionary of First Names possibly by association with the similar-sounding Kevin, which surged in popularity at about the same time, and may be further influenced by Calvin and Melvin. The surname Alter: Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill. Kelvin is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 51K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Kelvin reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Kelvin

English

Kelvin () is a masculine given name, ultimately derived from the title of William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who received a baronage named for the River Kelvin (the river flowing past the University of Glasgow) in 1892. Isolated use of Kelvin as a given name is recorded in England in the 1920s, and the name rises in popularity in the United States around 1950, according to the authors of the Oxford Dictionary of First Names possibly by association with the similar-sounding Kevin, which surged in popularity at about the same time, and may be further influenced by Calvin and Melvin.

Surname: Alter

Hebrew

Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Kelvin is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 50%

United Kingdom 26%

Australia 13%

Canada 11%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Kelvin by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Kelvin Alter

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Kelvin Alter:

3

Expression Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

2

Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

1

Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Kelvin?: The first name Kelvin originates from English. Kelvin () is a masculine given name, ultimately derived from the title of William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who received a baronage named for the River Kelvin (the river flowing past the University of Glasgow) in 1892. Isolated use of Kelvin as a given name is recorded in England in the 1920s, and the name rises in popularity in the United States around 1950, according to the authors of the Oxford Dictionary of First Names possibly by association with the similar-sounding Kevin, which surged in popularity at about the same time, and may be further influenced by Calvin and Melvin.
When was Kelvin most popular?: The name Kelvin reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Alter?: The surname Alter originates from Hebrew. Alter is both a surname and a given name. German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): distinguishing epithet for the older of two bearers of the same personal name. For the Ashkenazim: from the Yiddish personal name Alter, an inflected form of alt (‘old’). This was in part an omen name, expressing the parents’ hope that the child would live a long life; in part an apotropaic name, given to a child born after the death of a sibling, but also said to have sometimes been assumed by someone who was seriously ill.
What are the origins of the name Kelvin Alter?: The name Kelvin Alter combines two different traditions: the first name Kelvin has English roots, while the surname Alter originates from Hebrew.