Lynn
Lynn is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Lake, pool, or waterfall; also soft or tender.
Origin and history
Lynn is derived from the Welsh word 'llyn', meaning 'lake' or 'waterfall', though it also has roots in Germanic languages meaning 'tender' or 'soft'. Historically used for both boys and girls, it was a common masculine name in the United States during the mid-20th century. Today, its usage for newborn boys in the U.S. has become rare.
Popularity in the United States
52,391 babies in the United States have been named Lynn since 1880. It ranks #493 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1835.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7 %)
- PA (6.4 %)
- UT (5.6 %)
- CA (5.5 %)
- MI (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 272 |
| 1890-1900 | 348 |
| 1900-1910 | 414 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,386 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,096 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,037 |
| 1940-1950 | 14,203 |
| 1950-1960 | 13,774 |
| 1960-1970 | 6,373 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,323 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,120 |
| 1990-2000 | 496 |
| 2000-2010 | 262 |
| 2010-2019 | 195 |
| 2020-2029 | 92 |
Famous people named Lynn
- Lynn Swan: Football Player, Sports Broadcaster
Fun facts
- The primary root of Lynn comes from the Welsh word for a body of water or pool, often seen in place names across Britain.
- While originally a masculine surname and given name in Britain, Lynn shifted to become popular for both sexes in the 20th-century United States.