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Cavan

Boy name · 30 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cavan: 30 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 6 births in 1998.

The name Cavan stems from the Irish Gaelic _Cabhán_, meaning “hollow” or “little hollow,” and originally referred to a person from the Irish county of Cavan. It is also used as a variant of the surname Mac Cathmhaoil, anglicised as Campbell. Notable bearers include American baseball player Cavan Biggio, whose father Craig played in the Major Leagues, and British sculptor Cavan McCarthy. The name’s strongest place connection is County Cavan in north-central Ireland, named for the same root. While less common in Scotland, Cavan has been given to a handful of Scottish boys in recent decades, making it a distinctive choice that quietly nods to shared Celtic heritage. Its spelling and sound are sometimes confused with the related name Kavan, but Cavan stands on its own with a soft, earthy resonance.