What Does the Name Calvin Mean?
Calvin means "bald," from the Latin calvus, passed into French as the surname Cauvin, likely originally describing a bald ancestor rather than carrying any symbolic weight.
The Origin & History of Calvin
Calvin entered English use largely through admiration for John Calvin (born Jean Cauvin), the influential 16th-century French theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation. Puritan and Protestant families in England and America later adopted it as a first name in his honor.
Cultural Reach
Calvin has had a distinctly American run: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge carried it into politics, fashion designer Calvin Klein made it a household name in style, and the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes cemented it in pop culture as the name of a mischievous, imaginative boy.
Famous People Named Calvin
Notable bearers include Calvin Coolidge, the 30th US president; Calvin Klein, the American fashion designer; Calvin Harris, the Scottish DJ and producer; and Calvin Broadus, better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg.
Nicknames & Variations
Cal is the standard short form. The name has no widely used foreign-language variants, staying largely tied to its English and French form.
Is Calvin a Good Name in 2026?
Calvin has held a stable, respected position among US boys' names for decades, appreciated as a classic that's dignified but not stuffy, with "Cal" offering an easy, casual nickname.