Lynette
Primarily a girl's name of Welsh origin with 43,326 recorded births. Also given to 53 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Welsh.
Lynette is a girl's and boy's baby name of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh Eluned or Lynet, meaning 'idol' or 'image' — or possibly related to the Welsh llun (form, image). In Arthurian legend, Lynette (or Lynet) was the feisty noblewoman who accompanied Sir Gareth on his quest.
With over 43,000 recorded births in U.S. SSA data, Lynette has genuine American depth. It was particularly popular from the 1940s through 1970s, and carries the warm, refined sensibility of mid-century feminine naming. The Arthurian connection gives it a literary pedigree, while its sound remains timelessly elegant.
EtymologyShow more
Lynette is built from 7 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Welsh naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Lynette creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lynette was #1582 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2726, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 344 | #2566 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 853 | #2252 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,225 | #1649 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,764 | #1093 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 3,529 | #570 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 7,279 | #342 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 12,751 | #241 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 10,128 | #261 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 3,913 | #406 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 851 | #778 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 455 | #1150 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 208 | #1579 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 20 | #1811 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 6 | #1482 | — |
The Story of Lynette
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1965, Lynette is a Gen X staple. Girls named Lynette are most likely born between 1955 and 1975.
How rare is Lynette?
Only about 1 in every 57,143 babies born in 2024 was named Lynette — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1897, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 12,751 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Lynette by the numbers
- More Lynettes than the population of a small U.S. town
- Would fill 903 school buses
- Meeting one Lynette per day would take 118.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(119 years, 1897–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63 | #2726 |
| 2023 | 69 | #2571 |
| 2022 | 64 | #2713 |
| 2021 | 70 | #2526 |
| 2020 | 78 | #2296 |
| 2019 | 67 | #2621 |
| 2018 | 65 | #2666 |
| 2017 | 69 | #2560 |
| 2016 | 89 | #2182 |
| 2015 | 96 | #2052 |
| 2014 | 77 | #2384 |
| 2013 | 91 | #2100 |
| 2012 | 102 | #1933 |
| 2011 | 91 | #2112 |
| 2010 | 106 | #1906 |
| 2009 | 124 | #1765 |
| 2008 | 127 | #1751 |
| 2007 | 108 | #1918 |
| 2006 | 113 | #1819 |
| 2005 | 132 | #1552 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Lynette as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Lynette has also been given to 53 boys in the U.S. since 1959.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lynette a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lynette most popular?
How popular is the name Lynette?
Can Lynette be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1897–2024