Lynn
Lynn is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Lake or waterfall.
Origin and history
Lynn is derived from the Welsh word 'llyn', meaning lake or body of water. Historically used as a surname and given name for both sexes, it achieved significant popularity for females in the mid-20th century in the United States. Today, it is more commonly seen as a middle name, though it remains a recognized classical choice.
Popularity in the United States
182,387 babies in the United States have been named Lynn since 1880. It ranks #218 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1719.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.4 %)
- CA (8.4 %)
- IL (7.7 %)
- PA (7 %)
- MI (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 15 |
| 1890-1900 | 46 |
| 1900-1910 | 121 |
| 1910-1920 | 444 |
| 1920-1930 | 896 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,987 |
| 1940-1950 | 29,387 |
| 1950-1960 | 66,049 |
| 1960-1970 | 51,931 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,609 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,778 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,479 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,336 |
| 2010-2019 | 927 |
| 2020-2029 | 382 |
Famous people named Lynn
- Lynn Redgrave: Actress
- Lynn Whitfield: Actress, Producer
- Lynn Johnston: Cartoonist
Fun facts
- Lynn originated as a Welsh topographic surname for someone living near a lake before developing into a popular given name.
- In contemporary American naming practices, Lynn is frequently chosen as a harmonious middle name or combined into hyphenated names.