How to say it
CAL · vin
ˈkæl.vɪn
Masculine
Calvin
Bald, hairless
What it means
From Latin calvinus, a diminutive of calvus ('bald'). The Latinized surname of John Calvin (Jean Cauvin), the 16th-century Protestant Reformer. Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes (1985-1995) is the dominant modern English-language anchor.
Calvin comes from the Latin calvinus ('little bald one'), a diminutive of calvus. The 16th-century Reformer Jean Cauvin Latinized his name to Calvinus, which English smoothed to Calvin; his theological system, Calvinism, gave the name lasting religious weight in Reformed Protestant communities. As an English given name Calvin spread widely after the Reformation. US President Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) is the political anchor. Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes comic strip (1985-1995) and Calvin Klein the fashion designer cover the modern English-language cultural surface. Cal is the universal short.
How to spell Calvin
The standard spelling is Calvin. Common variants include Cal, Kalvin, but Calvin is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #44 in 1924, currently #132 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Cal is the universal short and a fully separate identity. Many Calvins go by Cal in adulthood.
- Pop culture
Calvin and Hobbes (1985-1995) is the strongest English-language pop-culture anchor; Calvin Klein and President Coolidge are the older references.
Who's worn it
- John Calvin 16th-century French theologian, founder of Calvinism
- Calvin Coolidge 30th US president, 1923-1929
- Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes) Bill Watterson's six-year-old philosopher and his tiger
Spelling variants
- Cal
- Kalvin
Names with the same feeling
See Calvin from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Calvin mean?
- From Latin calvinus, a diminutive of calvus ('bald'). The Latinized surname of John Calvin (Jean Cauvin), the 16th-century Protestant Reformer. Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes (1985-1995) is the dominant modern English-language anchor.
- What does Calvin mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Calvin means "Bald, hairless." Calvin comes from the Latin calvinus ('little bald one'), a diminutive of calvus. The 16th-century Reformer Jean Cauvin Latinized his name to Calvinus, which English smoothed to Calvin; his theological system, Calvinism, gave the name lasting religious weight in Reformed Protestant communities. As an English given name Calvin spread widely after the Reformation. US President Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) is the political anchor. Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes comic strip (1985-1995) and Calvin Klein the fashion designer cover the modern English-language cultural surface. Cal is the universal short.
- How do you pronounce Calvin?
- Calvin is pronounced ˈkæl.vɪn. Say it as CAL-vin, with the stress on the "cal" syllable.
- How do you spell Calvin?
- The standard spelling is Calvin. Common spelling variants include Cal, Kalvin.
- Is Calvin a boy or girl name?
- Calvin is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Calvin?
- Calvin ranked #132 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.