Flynn Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FLIN //flɪn//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: descendant of the red-haired one; English: son of the red-haired one
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Flynn has its roots in the Irish surname "O'Floinn," which means "descendant of Flann," with "Flann" deriving from the Old Irish word "flann," meaning "red" or "ruddy." The name evolved through various forms, with the Gaelic spelling being "O'Flann," before being anglicized to Flynn as it entered the English language. This transition occurred primarily during the 17th century when Irish surnames were adapted to fit English phonetics and spelling conventions, especially during periods of English colonization in Ireland.
Historically, the name Flynn is associated with several notable figures in Irish history, particularly during the medieval period. The O'Floinn clan was prominent in the province of Connacht, and members of the clan held various local chieftaincies.
The name gained further recognition through its association with Flann Sinna, a 9th-century king of Connacht, who was known for his contributions to the early Irish church and governance. The name also appears in various historical texts and genealogies, solidifying its place in Irish heritage.
Culturally, Flynn carries connotations of bravery and leadership, often linked to the characteristics of its historical bearers. The name has been celebrated in Irish folklore and literature, symbolizing a connection to the rich tapestry of Irish identity.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Flynn" have emerged in various contexts, reflecting a more personal or affectionate use of the name. Overall, Flynn encapsulates a blend of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance that has contributed to its enduring legacy.
Famous people named Flynn
In this section, you will find notable people named Flynn. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Flynn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Flynn who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Flynn Rider is a character best known as the charming thief in Disney's Tangled.
Flynn McGarry is a chef best known for his innovative culinary techniques and pop-up restaurant Gem.
Fictional characters named Flynn
The following list of fictional characters named Flynn is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Flynn Rider is a fictional character from the animated film Tangled. He is a charming thief who becomes the love interest of Rapunzel and helps her discover her true identity.
Flynn is a fictional character from the video game series Infamous. He is a key supporting character who aids the protagonist in navigating the challenges of a superpowered world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Flynn, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Flynn. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Flynn was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Flynn has ranked as high as #951 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Flynn has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Flynn is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Flynn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Flynn (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 30 | |
| PA | 24 | |
| NY | 21 | |
| FL | 20 | |
| WI | 14 | |
| IN | 13 | |
| OH | 12 | |
| MI | 12 | |
| NC | 11 | |
| TX | 10 | |
| UT | 10 | |
| WA | 10 | |
| MO | 9 | |
| IL | 9 | |
| MA | 9 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Flynn.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 351 |
| 2023 | 323 |
| 2022 | 369 |
| 2021 | 418 |
| 2020 | 398 |
| 2019 | 342 |
| 2018 | 295 |
| 2017 | 311 |
| 2016 | 375 |
| 2015 | 362 |
| 2014 | 391 |
| 2013 | 362 |
| 2012 | 339 |
| 2011 | 212 |
| 2010 | 81 |
| 2009 | 81 |
| 2008 | 78 |
| 2007 | 64 |
| 2006 | 61 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2004 | 71 |
| 2003 | 65 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2001 | 37 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 1999 | 36 |
| 1998 | 23 |
| 1997 | 22 |
| 1996 | 23 |
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1994 | 17 |
| 1993 | 16 |
| 1992 | 16 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 13 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 11 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1984 | 15 |
| 1983 | 14 |
| 1982 | 19 |
| 1981 | 12 |
| 1980 | 17 |
| 1979 | 20 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1977 | 12 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 13 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1972 | 15 |
| 1971 | 11 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1967 | 15 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1965 | 15 |
| 1964 | 23 |
| 1963 | 14 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1960 | 14 |
| 1959 | 10 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1955 | 15 |
| 1954 | 8 |
| 1953 | 8 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1950 | 11 |
| 1949 | 9 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1947 | 8 |
| 1946 | 12 |
| 1945 | 8 |
| 1944 | 5 |
| 1941 | 13 |
| 1939 | 8 |
| 1938 | 7 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1917 | 5 |
| 1916 | 9 |
| 1915 | 5 |
| 1914 | 5 |
| 1913 | 5 |