The word may have its origins in Romani language. One suggested etymology for "chav" is that it derives from the Romani word chavo, meaning boy (cf. "yob" - a reversal of boy). This is similar to the colloquial Spanish word chaval, meaning "kid" or "guy". The Romani chavo appears to have transferred to the Nonantum, Massachusetts dialect as "chabby", though without the negative connotations of "chav".
Many folk etymologies have sprung up around the word. These include the backronym "Council Housed And Violent", and the suggestion that pupils at Cheltenham Ladies' College and Cheltenham College used the word to describe the young men of the town ("Cheltenham Average").
The term "chav" has regional variations, such as "charver" in York, North Yorkshire; Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, but not all of the North-East of England. The term "scally" is more regionalised being most prevalent in and around Manchester.