Gavin

Gavin is a masculine given name of Scottish origin, derived from the medieval name Gawain (Old French Gauvin or Gauvain). The exact origin is uncertain, but it is commonly traced to Gawain, the knight of Arthurian legend. The meaning is not definitively established; some theories link it to hawk or falcon, though this is speculative. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages and gained particular popularity in the modern era, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. Diminutives include Gav and Gavyn, with Gav often used as a nickname in informal contexts.

Notable people with the given name Gavin include Gavin Newsom, American politician and governor of California; Gavin Rossdale, English musician and lead singer of Bush; and Gavin Hood, South African filmmaker who directed Tsotsi. Gavin MacLeod, Scottish-born American actor known for roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat, is another well-known bearer of the name. In popular culture, Gavin Shipman is the fictional main character in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey.

Gavin is also used as a surname in Irish and Scottish contexts, where it is typically derived from the given name and appears in various spellings. The name remains in use today across many regions and languages, sometimes with local variants such as Gavyn or Gavan in Irish forms.