Glynn
Primarily a boy's name of Welsh origin with 4,944 recorded births. Also given to 417 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Glynn is a boy's and girl's baby name of Welsh origin, a variant of Glyn, from the Welsh glyn, meaning 'valley' — specifically a narrow mountain valley carved by water. It was both a Welsh place name element and a given name.
Glynn has the clean, geographic poetry of Welsh names drawn from the natural landscape. It's crisp and masculine, suggesting the deep, sheltered valleys of Wales where streams run cold and clear between ancient hills.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Glynn is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1902–2019). Its Welsh roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Glynn’s 4,944 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Glynn has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Glynn has 106+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1902.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 34 | #11814 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 58 | #8918 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 142 | #4613 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 252 | #2363 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 342 | #1608 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 631 | #978 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,027 | #720 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 960 | #660 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 667 | #758 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 543 | #944 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 270 | #1158 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 18 | #1226 | — |
The Story of Glynn
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1950, Glynn is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Glynn are most likely born between 1940 and 1960.
How rare is Glynn?
With 4,944 total births on record, Glynn remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1902, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 1,027 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Glynn by the numbers
- Would fill 103 school buses
- Meeting one Glynn per day would take 13.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(106 years, 1902–2019)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | #12797 |
| 2016 | 5 | #12867 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12720 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10016 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11270 |
| 2010 | 6 | #11214 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13008 |
| 2006 | 5 | #12693 |
| 2005 | 9 | #7862 |
| 2003 | 13 | #5659 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7898 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5794 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9510 |
| 1999 | 13 | #5130 |
| 1998 | 13 | #4973 |
| 1997 | 10 | #5791 |
| 1996 | 8 | #6715 |
| 1995 | 14 | #4355 |
| 1994 | 14 | #4384 |
| 1993 | 11 | #5135 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Glynn as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Glynn has also been given to 417 girls in the U.S. since 1912.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glynn a boy's or girl's name?
When was Glynn most popular?
How popular is the name Glynn?
Can Glynn be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1902–2019