Explore the Family Name Kelvin
The meaning of Kelvin
Scottish (Glasgow): perhaps a variant of Kelvey, a shortened form of McKelvey. Alternatively, it may be a shortened form of McKelvin, for which there is little historical evidence. There is no known connection with the River Kelvin or with the modern settlement of Kelvinside in Glasgow.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kelvin in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the popularity of the surname Kelvin experienced a slight decrease between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, the surname was ranked 89,172nd in popularity and by 2010 it had dropped to 98,553rd place, marking a 10.52% decrease. The number of people bearing the name also declined from 193 in 2000 to 184 in 2010, a 4.66% decrease. Additionally, for every 100,000 people, the proportion with the Kelvin surname went down by 14.29%, from 0.07 in 2000 to 0.06 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #89,172 | #98,553 | -10.52% |
| Count | 193 | 184 | -4.66% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.07 | 0.06 | -14.29% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kelvin
In terms of ethnicity, the data from the Decennial U.S. Census shows some changes in the ethnic identity of those with the Kelvin surname between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, 68.91% identified as White, 24.87% as Black, 3.11% as Hispanic, and 2.59% reported having two or more races. There were no reports of Kelvin holders identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native. By 2010, the percentage of Kelvin bearers who identified as White had decreased to 60.33% while the proportion of Hispanics dramatically increased to 11.41%. The Black population saw a slight decrease to 24.46% and there were no longer any individuals reporting two or more races. Lastly, a minute portion began identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native, while still no Kelvin holders identified as Asian/Pacific Islander.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 68.91% | 60.33% | -12.45% |
| Black | 24.87% | 24.46% | -1.65% |
| Hispanic | 3.11% | 11.41% | 266.88% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 2.59% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |