Cavanaugh as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Cavanaugh

What is the meaning of the name Cavanaugh ?

The baby name Cavanaugh is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /kəˈvænə/ (kuh-VAN-ə) or /ˈkævənɔː/ (KAV-ə-naw).

Cavanaugh is Irish in Origin.

Cavanaugh is an Anglicized Irish surname turned given name, from Gaelic Caomhánach, denoting “one of/follower of Caoimhín (St. Kevin).” Caoimhín derives from the Irish root caomh, meaning “gentle, kind, comely,” so the name carries overtones of gentleness and handsomeness alongside its devotional sense.

The surname arose in medieval Leinster when members of the ruling Mac Murchadha line adopted Caomhánach after fosterage at St. Kevin’s monastery in Glendalough, giving rise to the Kavanagh dynasty. As a first name, Cavanaugh gained use in the late 20th century, especially in the United States, following the trend of surnames as given names; it is technically unisex but more often masculine. Variant spellings include Kavanagh (standard Irish), Cavanagh, Kavanaugh (North American), Cavenagh, and the original Caomhánach; related forms are Kevin and Caoimhín.