Glyn
Primarily a boy's name of Welsh origin with 1,383 recorded births. Also given to 92 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Welsh.
Glyn is a boy's and girl's baby name of Welsh origin, from the Welsh glyn meaning 'valley' or glen — a serene, nature-inspired name evoking the lush mountain valleys of Wales.
Glyn is a traditional Welsh given name used throughout Wales and among Welsh diaspora communities worldwide. It has the minimal, powerful quality of Celtic place names used personally — one syllable, deeply rooted in the Welsh landscape, with a quiet strength that feels both ancient and timeless.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Glyn's final sounds are smooth, flowing — a popular compound ending in American feminine naming. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Glyn softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Glyn's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Glyn has 76+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1912.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 | #13128 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 10 | #9747 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 47 | #5828 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 79 | #3672 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 159 | #2212 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 223 | #1692 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 255 | #1412 | — |
| 1930s | 264 | #1367 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 234 | #1627 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 107 | #2102 | — |
The Story of Glyn
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1934, Glyn is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Glyn are most likely born between 1924 and 1944.
How rare is Glyn?
With 1,383 total births on record, Glyn remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1912, peaked in the 1930s with 264 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Glyn by the numbers
- Would fill 29 school buses
- Meeting one Glyn per day would take 3.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(76 years, 1912–2009)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | #13128 |
| 1998 | 5 | #10174 |
| 1994 | 5 | #9319 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7313 |
| 1988 | 6 | #6710 |
| 1985 | 8 | #4854 |
| 1984 | 6 | #5840 |
| 1983 | 7 | #5115 |
| 1982 | 9 | #4353 |
| 1980 | 5 | #6608 |
| 1979 | 7 | #5024 |
| 1978 | 8 | #4297 |
| 1977 | 10 | #3696 |
| 1976 | 7 | #4594 |
| 1973 | 11 | #3090 |
| 1972 | 12 | #2891 |
| 1971 | 10 | #3232 |
| 1970 | 14 | #2554 |
| 1969 | 13 | #2467 |
| 1968 | 17 | #1985 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Glyn as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Glyn has also been given to 92 girls in the U.S. since 1925.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glyn a boy's or girl's name?
When was Glyn most popular?
How popular is the name Glyn?
Can Glyn be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1912–2009