There was a time when everyone (or almost) wanted a little Kevin at home… Inspired by the boy bands of the 90s, the first name rose to the top of the ranking: more than 14,000 births in 1991, according to INSEE. But more than 30 years later, the first name has become a burden for some.
The first name Kevin, from star to stereotype
In an article for The Worldthe sociologist Baptiste Coulmont recalls that the first name Kevin was widely distributed in modest circles at a time when these families “have won their cultural autonomy“. In other words, Kevin has long represented social pride, before now being mocked for what he symbolizes.
In schoolyards, on social networks or even in the world of work, “Kevin” is now associated with clichés of a dunce, a thug or a young person from the working classes. An unfair caricature, but deeply rooted.
A first name, a marker of social identity
For psychologist Pascal Anger, a first name is much more than a label. “A first name is never trivial. Both parents agreed, or not, on the first name to give the child. It corresponds to the idea of his identity, to parental expectations and to a whole symbolism.
According to him, the choice of first name always reflects something of the family history or the parents’ projections. “Giving a first name also defines what we want to pass on to the child. And in particular family history, for example, when the child inherits the first name of his deceased grandfather. So a first name is never neutral, it reflects the first piece that we want to offer to a child’s identity.”
In Kevin’s case, the origin of the first name also plays a role. From Gaelic Caoimhinit means “beautiful and honorable birth”. A completely respectable meaning, then. But its media and popular appropriation transformed its image.
When the first name becomes a weight to carry
Indeed, two American stars helped popularize the first name. On the one hand Kevin Costner, with his famous film Dance with wolves, then Kevin Mc Allister, child star propelled to the forefront thanks to the film series “Mom, I missed the plane.”
“There is obviously a media influence of first names. In the case of Kevin, we see that it was Kevin Costner who first popularized it. And therefore this necessarily transforms the relationship we have with the first name” confirms Pascal Anger.
Among the direct consequences: this media coverage created an explosion of “Kevin” in the 80s and 90s… then a brutal fall when the first name became synonymous with vulgarity.
A difficult name to wear today
Today, having the first name Kevin can create a real feeling of exclusion. Several testimonies illustrate this: teachers or executives say they almost have to “apologize” for being called that. Some Kevin even admits to having lied about their first name to avoid mockery.
This social stigma reveals, according to Pascal Anger, a phenomenon of projection and internalized shame. “Some people can live with their first name badly and deny it” he assures. So much so that a bill has just been tabled, to add the first name to the last name, as a potential source of discrimination.
For many, being called Kevin still means having to prove more than others, especially in circles where the first name is considered “popular”. But as the psychologist reminds us: “First names vary depending on culture, religion or time periods. We also sometimes have a return of old first names which come back into fashione”. So all is not lost: perhaps one day, being called Kevin will become fashionable again.