Flynn Boy

Popularity: #649 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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 #1308 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 314 299 15
2024 372 355 17
2023 348 323 25
2022 395 369 26
2021 430 418 12
2020 410 398 12
2019 360 342 18
2018 314 295 19
2017 330 311 19
2016 397 375 22
2015 383 362 21
2014 411 391 20
2013 393 362 31
2012 361 339 22
2011 226 212 14
2010 96 81 15
2009 90 81 9
2008 91 78 13
2007 77 64 13
2006 71 61 10
2005 82 66 16
2004 81 71 10
2003 84 65 19
2002 63 46 17
2001 51 37 14
2000 58 49 9
1999 46 36 10
1998 29 23 6
1997 28 22 6
1996 28 23 5
1995 20 20 0
1994 17 17 0
1993 16 16 0
1992 16 16 0
1991 15 15 0
1990 14 14 0
1989 13 13 0
1988 11 11 0
1987 18 11 7
1986 18 11 7
1985 16 16 0
1984 15 15 0
1983 14 14 0
1982 19 19 0
1981 12 12 0
1980 17 17 0
1979 20 20 0
1978 8 8 0
1977 12 12 0
1976 6 6 0
1975 13 13 0
1974 8 8 0
1973 10 10 0
1972 15 15 0
1971 11 11 0
1970 13 13 0
1969 14 14 0
1968 11 11 0
1967 15 15 0
1966 8 8 0
1965 15 15 0
1964 23 23 0
1963 14 14 0
1962 11 11 0
1961 13 13 0
1960 14 14 0
1959 10 10 0
1958 13 13 0
1957 15 15 0
1956 7 7 0
1955 15 15 0
1954 8 8 0
1953 8 8 0
1952 9 9 0
1950 11 11 0
1949 9 9 0
1948 5 5 0
1947 8 8 0
1946 12 12 0
1945 8 8 0
1944 5 5 0
1941 13 13 0
1939 8 8 0
1938 7 7 0
1937 8 8 0
1930 5 5 0
1928 5 5 0
1927 6 6 0
1925 5 5 0
1919 7 7 0
1917 5 5 0
1916 9 9 0
1915 5 5 0
1914 5 5 0
1913 5 5 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 30
10%
PA 24
8%
NY 21
7%
FL 20
7%
WI 14
5%
IN 13
4%
CO 13
4%
OH 12
4%
MI 12
4%
NC 11
4%
UT 10
3%
WA 10
3%
TX 10
3%
IL 9
3%
MA 9
3%
MO 9
3%
MN 8
3%
AZ 7
2%
OR 7
2%
MD 7
2%
GA 7
2%
IA 7
2%
KS 6
2%
NJ 6
2%
TN 6
2%
VA 5
2%
SC 5
2%