Meaning & History
Trevor is a masculine given name of English and Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh surname Trevor, which itself comes from place names in Wales. The name means "large village", from Middle Welsh tref "village" and maur "large".
Linguistic Origins
As a habitational surname, Trevor originally referred to someone from a settlement called Trevor in Denbighshire or elsewhere, where the combined elements denoted a substantial settlement. The Cornish language equivalent is Trevorrow, associated especially with Ludgvan. In Welsh, the variant Trefor is used, while in Irish contexts, Trevor sometimes serves as an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Treabhair, meaning "descendant of Treabhar," though this may derive from the same Welsh name.
Popularity as a Given Name
As a given name, Trevor gained popularity in the United Kingdom in the mid-20th century, then spread to the United States in the 1960s. It was notably common among Scottish and English speakers, enhanced by its use in popular culture. A common diminutive is Trev.
Notable Bearers
As a given name:
- Trevor Ariza (born 1985), American basketball player
- Trevor Noah (born 1984), South African comedian and television host
As a surname:
- Claire Trevor (1910–2000), American actress
- William Trevor (1928–2016), Irish writer
Fictional:
- Steve Trevor, of DC Comics' Wonder Woman fame
Cultural Significance
In the United States, the name was further popularized by the 1996 indie film Swingers, whose central character Trent (written as a direct association) inadvertently boosted the name's cool factor. The name's bearere include British actor Trevor Howard and journalist Sir Trevor McDonald, making it recognizable media figure.
- Meaning: "big village" (Welsh elements tref + maur) or "descendant of Treabhar" (Irish)
- Origin: Welsh habitational surname; also Irish anglicization of Ó Treabhair
- Type: Given name and surname
- Usage regions: United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, English-speaking world
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Trevor