Kevin in Chinese
Kevin in Chinese is 凯文 (Kǎi Wén).
- Origin
- Irish
- Meaning
- kind, gentle birth
The name traces back to Irish sources, where it is usually explained as "kind, gentle birth". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1912 and peaked in 1963.
3 ways to write Kevin
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
凯文
Kǎi Wén
The standard transliteration of Kevin: 凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song"), 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 凯 (kǎi) carries "ke", 文 (wén) carries "vin". The tone contour is 3-2 (dipping, rising).
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
恩泽
Ēn Zé
Inspired by "kind, gentle birth": 恩 (ēn, "grace, kindness") + 泽 (zé, "pool; grace, favor"), expressing grace and kindness.
Why these characters?
Because Kevin is linked to "kind", the name leads with 恩 (grace, kindness); 泽 (pool; grace, favor) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 恩
ēn
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
grace, kindness
- 泽
zé
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
pool; grace, favor
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
凯嘉
Kǎi Jiā
凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song") + 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 凯 (kǎi), the same opening character as the transliteration 凯文, for the "ke" sound, and replaces the rest with 嘉 ("excellent, praiseworthy") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Kevin
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Kevin ranked 186 among names recorded for boys, with 11,946 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,166,731 boys named Kevin since 1912, with the high point in 1963 (30,620 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #23 to #101 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1963
- Peak decade
- 1960s
- First year
- 1912
- Total since 1880
- 1,166,731
More About Kevin in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Kevin offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Kevin, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Jonathan in Chinese, Tyler in Chinese, and Alexander in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Benjamin in Chinese, Jason in Chinese, and Zachary in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Kevin, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Kevin to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Kevin translated into Chinese?
凯文 (Kǎi Wén), or 凱文 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Kevin?
US Social Security records show 1,166,731 boys named Kevin since 1912, with the high point in 1963 (30,620 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #23 to #101 among boys.
Is Kevin written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 凯文 becomes 凱文; the changed characters are 凯→凱. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.