What does the surname Calvin mean, and what's it's orgin?

Answer 1

It's French and comes from the Latin word "calvus," meaning "bald." (The French word for "bald" is "chauve.") John Calvin's name was actually Jean Chauvin. It was another Chauvin, a die-hard Bonapartist, who gave us the word "chauvinism," meaning "excessive patriotism." So if you're a man and someone calls you a male chauvinist, just reply, "Well, I don't know any bald WOMEN." ("Alors, je ne connais pas de FEMMES chauves.")