Origin and Meaning of Kelvin

Derived from the river name; 'From the River Clyde'

Origin: Scottish - Kelvin is derived from the name of a river in Scotland, the River Kelvin, which is thought to originate from the Gaelic term 'caol' meaning 'narrow'.

• Kelvin is commonly associated with the physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who was instrumental in the development of the second law of thermodynamics.
• In the UK, Kelvin has been used as a first name since the 19th century, often linked to academic and intellectual circles.
• Notable bearers include the Scottish physicist William Thomson, as well as various personalities in sports and media.
• Kelvin experienced a rise in popularity during the mid-20th century, especially in English-speaking countries, but it has seen fluctuations since.
• Variations of the name include Calvan, Cavan, and other derivatives inspired by the original Gaelic roots.