When was Kelvin most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Kelvin Small?

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

Kelvin Small — 51K & 40K bearers

Kelvin Small 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 Small: Small is an English and Scottish surname, originally used as a nickname for a person of small stature or slender build. The name is widespread across the English-speaking world, and was sometimes adopted as an anglicised form of names with similar etymologies from other languages, including Beag in Irish, Klein and Schmal in German, Mały in Polish, and Malý in Czech and Slovak. It shares an etymology with the English surname Smallman, and has a similar etymology to the surname Smallbone, which was a nickname for a person with short or thin legs. 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: Small

Irish

Small is an English and Scottish surname, originally used as a nickname for a person of small stature or slender build. The name is widespread across the English-speaking world, and was sometimes adopted as an anglicised form of names with similar etymologies from other languages, including Beag in Irish, Klein and Schmal in German, Mały in Polish, and Malý in Czech and Slovak. It shares an etymology with the English surname Smallman, and has a similar etymology to the surname Smallbone, which was a nickname for a person with short or thin legs.

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 Small

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 Small:

4

Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

6

Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

7

Personality Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

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 Small?: The surname Small originates from Irish. Small is an English and Scottish surname, originally used as a nickname for a person of small stature or slender build. The name is widespread across the English-speaking world, and was sometimes adopted as an anglicised form of names with similar etymologies from other languages, including Beag in Irish, Klein and Schmal in German, Mały in Polish, and Malý in Czech and Slovak. It shares an etymology with the English surname Smallman, and has a similar etymology to the surname Smallbone, which was a nickname for a person with short or thin legs.
What are the origins of the name Kelvin Small?: The name Kelvin Small combines two different traditions: the first name Kelvin has English roots, while the surname Small originates from Irish.