NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Chavez

A Spanish variant of Jose, meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1996. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Chavez is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Chavez popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1996 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2863, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1996 to 1996. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Chavez is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Chavez. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 1997 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Chavez ranked #2863 for boys in England and Wales in 1996, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 boys were registered as Chavez.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Chavez as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2863

1996

Births in 1996

3

Latest year

Peak year

1996

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Chavez mean?

The name Chavez originates from the Spanish language and has its roots in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Spain and Portugal. It is derived from the word "chavo," which means "boy" or "lad" in Spanish.

In the early medieval period, the name Chavez was likely used as a nickname or a descriptive term to refer to a young man or a boy. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, particularly among Spanish and Portuguese communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chavez dates back to the 13th century, where it appeared in various historical documents and records from the Iberian Peninsula. During this period, the name was closely associated with the noble and aristocratic classes of society.

Notably, the name Chavez appeared in the famous Spanish epic poem "El Cantar de Mio Cid," written in the 12th century. This literary work, which recounts the exploits of the legendary Castilian hero El Cid, featured characters bearing the name Chavez, indicating its widespread use during that era.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Chavez. One of the most prominent was César Chávez (1927-1993), an American labor leader and civil rights activist who fought for the rights of farmworkers in the United States.

Another notable figure was Julio César Chávez (born 1962), a Mexican professional boxer and multiple-time world champion in various weight classes. His exceptional boxing career and achievements made him a national icon in Mexico.

In the realm of literature, César Augusto Chávez Gutiérrez (born 1940) was a renowned Peruvian novelist and poet, known for his works that explored indigenous cultural themes and social issues.

The name Chavez also has a strong connection to the Catholic Church, with several religious figures bearing this name. One example is Fray Pedro de Chávez (1537-1592), a Spanish Franciscan friar who traveled to New Spain (present-day Mexico) and played a significant role in the evangelization efforts in the region.

Additionally, Fray Ángel Chávez (1910-1986) was a Mexican Catholic priest and activist who dedicated his life to promoting social justice and advocating for the rights of indigenous communities in Mexico.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Chavez by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Chavez was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
1990s #2863 3 1

Related

Names similar to Chavez

FAQ

Chavez: questions and answers

How popular is the name Chavez in the UK right now?

In 1996, Chavez was ranked #2863 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Chavez most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Chavez in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Chavez?

A Spanish variant of Jose, meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows".

How many people are called Chavez in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Chavez across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.