Gavin is a Celtic male

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

. It is the Scottish variation of the medieval Welsh name

Gawain Gawain ( ), also known in many other forms and spellings, is a character in Matter of Britain, Arthurian legend, in which he is King Arthur's nephew and one of the premier Knights of the Round Table. The prototype of Gawain is mentioned und ...

, meaning 'God send' or 'white hawk/falcon'. Sir Gawain is a knight of

King Arthur's Round Table King Arthur's Round Table is a Neolithic henge in the village of Eamont Bridge in the English county of Cumbria, around south east of Penrith. It is 400 metres from Mayburgh Henge. The site is free to visitors and is under the control of Eng ...

. ''

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' is a late 14th-century chivalric romance in Middle English alliterative verse. The author is unknown; the title was given centuries later. It is one of the best-known Arthurian stories, with its plot comb ...

'' is an epic poem in which he beheads the Green Knight, who promptly replaces his head and threatens Gawain an identical fate the same time next year. Decapitation figures elsewhere: the Italian (and originally Sardinian) name

Gavino Gavino is a male given name. It is common in Sardinia, due to its being the Italianised form of the Sardinian language personal name or . Saint Gavinus ( San Gavino, Porto Torres, Sardinia) was an early Christian martyr, a former Roman centurion ...

is the name of an early Christian martyr (

San Gavino, Porto Torres The Basilica di San Gavino (Basilica of Saint Gabinus) is a proto- Romanesque church in Porto Torres, Sardinia, Italy. A former cathedral, it is now a place for the veneration of local martyrs and a parish church. History Turris Libisonis (Lati ...

Sardinia Sardinia ( ; ; ) is the Mediterranean islands#By area, second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, and one of the Regions of Italy, twenty regions of Italy. It is located west of the Italian Peninsula, north of Tunisia an ...

) who was beheaded in 300 AD, his head being thrown in the Mediterranean Sea, later recovered and interred with his body.

People with the given names

People with the surname

Agnes Gavin Agnes Gavin (1872–1947), was an Australian actor and screenwriter in the Silent film, silent film era. She worked in collaboration with her husband John Gavin (director), John Gavin throughout her career. She wrote the majority of his films and ...

(1872–1947), Australian actor and screenwriter * Andy Gavin (born 1970), American programmer *

Barrie Gavin Barrie Vincent Gavin (10 June 1935 – 12 November 2024) was a British film and television director. Early life Gavin was born in Stanmore, London on 10 June 1935. His parents were John Gavin and Margaret Gavin (''née'' Elder). He was educat ...

(born 1935), British film director * Barry Gavin (1944–2017), Australian rules footballer * Bill Gavin (1907–1985), American radio personality and publisher * Blair Gavin (born 1989), American soccer player * Brian Gavin (referee) (born 1977), Irish hurling referee *

Buck Gavin Patrick Marvin "Buck" Gavin (June 22, 1895 – April 12, 1981) was a professional American football player who played fullback (gridiron football), fullback for seven seasons for the Buffalo (1920s NFL teams), Buffalo All-Americans, Detroit (192 ...

(1895–1981), American football player *

Catherine Gavin Catherine Irvine Gavin (13 May 1907 – 27 December 1999) was a Scottish academic historian, war correspondent, and historical novelist. Early life Gavin was born in Aberdeen in 1907, and studied history and English at the University of Aberdee ...

(1907–2000), Scottish academic historian, war correspondent and historical novelist *

Charles Gavin Charles de Souza Gavin (born 9 July 1960) is a Brazilian drummer and music producer, perhaps best known for his 25-year tenure with rock band Titãs. Before Titãs, he had brief stints at Ira! and RPM. Early life and first works At age 8, his ...

(born 1960), Brazilian drummer and music producer * Cy Gavin (born 1985), American artist *

Diarmuid Gavin Diarmuid Gavin (born 10 May 1964) is an Irish garden designer and television personality. He has presented gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show on nine occasions from 1995 to 2016, winning a number of medals, including gold in 2011. He has als ...

(born 1964), Irish garden designer and television personality *

Don Gavin Don Gavin is an American stand-up comedian and actor best known for such films and television series as ''Shallow Hal'' and ''Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist''. In 1989, Gavin made an appearance on an episode of the Australian variety TV show ' ...

, American stand-up comedian and actor * Enon Gavin (born 1971), Irish Gaelic footballer * Erica Gavin (born 1947), American actress *

Francis Gavin Francis J. Gavin is an American historian currently serving as the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies i ...

(born 1962), American political scientist *

Frank Gavin (disambiguation) Frank Gavin may refer to: * Francis Gavin, professor of political science at MIT * Frank S. B. Gavin (1890–1938), American Anglican priest and theologian {{hndis, Gavin, Frank ...

, multiple people * Frankie Gavin (disambiguation), multiple people * George Gavin (1810–1880), Irish politician * James M. Gavin (1907–1991), American general *

Hector Gavin Dr Hector Gavin MD (29 August 1815 – 21 April 1855) was a Scottish physician and sanitarian. Life He was born in August 1815 the eldest son of Marion Walker (b.1795) and Hector Gavin, an engraver at 150 High Street on the Royal Mile in Old To ...

(1815–1855), Scottish physician and sanitarian *

Herb Gavin Herbert "Herb" James Gavin (15 November 1921 in Winterset, Iowa – 27 June 2009 in California) was an American Chief Test Pilot in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He retired on 1 June 1978 as Major General. He is buried ...

(1921–2009), United States Army Air Forces test pilot *

Hugh Gavin Lodovic Hugh Gavin (25 October 1878 – 13 November 1940) was an Australian rules footballer who played 108 games for the Essendon Football Club in the years following the formation of the Australian Football League, Victorian Football League ...

(1878–1940), Australian rules footballer *

James Gavin (disambiguation) James Gavin may refer to: * James M. Gavin (1907–1990), United States Army general and ambassador to France * Jim Gavin (Gaelic footballer) (born 1971), Irish Gaelic football manager and former player * James Gavin (covenanter), tailor who had his ...

, multiple people * Jamila Gavin British Indian born author of The Surya Trilogy *

Jason Gavin (disambiguation) Jason Gavin may refer to: * Jason Gavin (footballer) (born 1980), Irish football player * Jason Gavin (writer), television writer {{hndis, Gavin, Jason ...

, multiple people * Jim Gavin (footballer) (born 1971), Irish Gaelic footballer and manager *

John Gavin John Gavin (born Juan Vincent Apablasa; April 8, 1931 – February 9, 2018) was an American actor and diplomat who was the president of the Screen Actors Guild (1971–1973), and the United States Ambassador to Mexico (1981–1986). Among the fil ...

(1931–2018), American actor, diplomat, and politician *

John Gavin (disambiguation) John Gavin (1931–2018) was an American film actor and former United States Ambassador to Mexico. John Gavin may also refer to: * John Gavin (comedian) (born 1979), Scottish comedian * Johnny Gavin (footballer) (1928–2007), Irish footballer, r ...

or Johnny Gavin, multiple people * Joseph G. Gavin Jr (1920–2010), American engineer *

Julian Gavin Julian Gavin (born 1965) is an Australian-born British operatic tenor who has sung leading roles both in the United Kingdom and internationally. His full-length opera recordings include Don José in ''Carmen'' and the title roles in ''Ernani'' an ...

(born 1965), Australian-born British opera singer *

Katie Gavin Catherine Hope Gavin is an American singer-songwriter and musician from Winnetka, Illinois, who is a member of the pop band Muna (band), MUNA. She is also a solo artist, with her debut studio album, ''What a Relief'', being released in October 2 ...

(born 1992), American singer-songwriter * Keith Edmund Gavin (1960 – 2024), American convicted murderer *

Kelontae Gavin Kelontae Gavin (born March 28, 1999) is an American gospel singer and worship leader who is known for the gospel radio singles, “No Ordinary Worship” and “Higher.”Caramanica, Jon “The New York Times”, New York, 13 May 2016. Early ...

(born 1999), American gospel singer and preacher *

Ken Gavin Kenneth Australia Gavin (20 January 1883 – 24 May 1956) was a rugby union player who represented Australia. Gavin, a prop A prop, formally known as a (theatrical) property, is an object actors use on stage or screen during a performance or ...

(1883 – c. 1956), Australian rugby union player * Kim Gavin, British choreographer * Leon H. Gavin (1893–1963), American politician * Mark Gavin (born 1963), Scottish footballer *

Michael Gavin Michael Gavin (born March 30, 1986, in Scottsdale, Arizona) is a former American professional soccer player who featured for his teams as a left wing-back. Career Youth Levels Gavin served as Captain (association football), captain of the highl ...

(born 1986), American soccer player *

Natalie Gavin Natalie Gavin (born 27 July 1988) is an English actress. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC dramas '' Prisoners' Wives'' (2012) and '' The Syndicate'' (2013), and the ITV drama ''Jericho'' (2016). Early life and education ...

, English actress *

Nigel Gavin Nigel Gavin is a New Zealand based musician and composer, best known as a guitar player. In addition to being a highly regarded solo artist and session musician, Nigel has been a member of bands such as popular New Zealand jazz quartett The Nair ...

, New Zealand musician and composer *

Norman Gavin Norman Leslie Gavin (15 September 1922 – 18 February 2013) was an English first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force (RAF) officer. Gavin made one appearance in first-class cricket in 1946 for the Royal Air Force cricket team against Worceste ...

(1922–2013), English cricketer *

Oliver Gavin Oliver Benjamin Gavin (born 29 September 1972) is a British racing driver who joined Corvette Racing in 2002. He has won five American Le Mans Series class championships, five 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins, six 12 Hours of Sebring class wi ...

(born 1972), British racing driver *

Paddy Gavin Patrick Joseph Gavin (6 June 1929 – 8 April 2006) was a association football, footballer who played for Dundalk F.C., Dundalk and Doncaster Rovers F.C., Doncaster Rovers, mainly as a Defender (association football)#Full back, left back. He als ...

(1929–2006), Irish footballer * Pat Gavin (born 1967), English footballer *

Patrick Gavin Peter Gavin was a Northern Irish Association football, footballer who played as a left back in the English Football League, Football League for Blackpool F.C., Blackpool. References

NIFL Premiership players Men's association football fu ...

, Northern Irish footballer * Peter Gavin (Canadian politician) (1847–1931), Canadian merchant and politician * Peter Gavin (Australian politician) (born 1949), Australian politician *

Robert Gavin Robert Gavin, R.S.A. (1827 – 5 October 1883) was a Scottish painter. Biography Gavin was the second son of Peter Gavin, a merchant at Leith, where the painter was born in 1827. His father was a ship chandler with premises on Commercial Stre ...

(1827–1883), British painter *

Rod Gavin Roderick Fitzgerald Gavin (born 20 May 1949) is a New Zealand sprint canoeist who competed in the late 1970s. At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of ...

(born 1949), New Zealand canoeist *

Rupert Gavin Sir Rupert Alexander Gavin (born 1 October 1954) is a British businessman and theatre impresario. Formerly CEO of BBC Worldwide and Odeon Cinemas as a producer/financier, he has produced/coproduced a series of plays and musicals through his comp ...

(born 1953), English businessman *

Stewart Gavin Robert Stewart Gavin (born March 15, 1960) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the NHL between 1980 and 1993. Gavin was selected 74th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. Gavin playe ...

(born 1960), Canadian ice hockey player *

Tim Gavin Bryant Timothy Gavin (born Sydney 20 November 1963) is an Australian former state and national representative rugby union player who played Number 8 for the Wallabies in 47 Test matches in between 1988 and 1996. Gavin played 83 times for Ne ...

(born 1963), Australian rugby union player

Fictional characters with the given name

* Gavin Banek, a character in the movie ''

Changing Lanes ''Changing Lanes'' is a 2002 American drama thriller film directed by Roger Michell and starring Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows a successful, young Wall Street lawyer (Affleck) who accidentally crashes his car into a vehic ...

'' * Gavin Belson, a character from the HBO series ''

Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California that is a global center for high technology and innovation. Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, it corresponds roughly to the geographical area of the Santa Clara Valley ...

'' * Gavin Mitchell, a character from the Nickelodeon sitcom ''

Drake & Josh ''Drake & Josh'' is an American teen sitcom created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. The series follows teenage stepbrothers Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck) as they live together despite their opposite personalities. Na ...

'' * Gavin Reed, a character from the video game '' Detroit: Become Human'' *Gavin Shipman, a character in the BBC sitcom ''

Gavin & Stacey ''Gavin & Stacey'' is a British sitcom created, written by and starring James Corden and Ruth Jones about two families: one from Billericay in Essex, and the other from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan. Mathew Horne and ...

'' * Gavin Stevens (Faulkner character), a character in several novels by William Faulkner * Gavin Sullivan, a character in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' * Gavin Volure, a character in the television series ''30 Rock'' *

Gavin Young Gavin David Young (24 April 1928 – 18 January 2001) was a journalist and travel writer. Early life He was born in Bude, Cornwall, England. His father, Gavin Young, was a lieutenant colonel in the Welsh Guards. Daphne, his mother, was the daught ...

, the ''Austin & Ally'' character * Gavin Strick, a character in the movie ''

Disturbing Behavior ''Disturbing Behavior'' is a 1998 teen science fiction psychological horror film starring James Marsden, Katie Holmes, and Nick Stahl. The film was directed by David Nutter, who was a director and producer on ''The X-Files'', and the screenplay ...

Fictional characters with the surname

Teddy Gavin Teddy is an English language given name, usually a hypocorism of Edward or Theodore or Theodora. It may refer to: People Nickname * Teddy Atlas (born 1956), American boxing trainer and fight commentator * Teddy Bourne (born 1948), British Oly ...

, a character in the television series ''Rescue Me'' *

Tommy Gavin Thomas Michael Gavin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the FX comedy-drama series '' Rescue Me''. He is portrayed by Denis Leary. For his portrayal, Leary was nominated for a Golden Globe Award (2005) and two Emmy Awards (2006 and 2 ...

, protagonist of the television series ''Rescue Me'' * Kristoph Gavin, a character in the video game ''Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney'' * Klavier Gavin, a prosecutor in the video game ''Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney'' *

Gavin Gavin is a Celtic male given name. It is the Scottish variation of the medieval Welsh name Gawain, meaning 'God send' or 'white hawk/falcon'. Sir Gawain is a knight of King Arthur's Round Table. ''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' is an epic poem ...

, a character from

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a Satire (film and television), satirical depiction of American life ...

References

{{given name, type=both English masculine given names Masculine given names Scottish masculine given names

People with the given names

People with the surname

Fictional characters with the given name

Fictional characters with the surname

See also

References