Glenn Boy

Popularity: #786 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: glen //ɡlɛn//

Origin: Irish; Scottish

Meaning: Irish: 'glen'; Scottish: 'valley'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Glenn has its roots in the Gaelic language, specifically deriving from the word "gleann," which means "valley." This etymological origin reflects a geographical feature, emphasizing the natural landscape often associated with the name. The name transitioned into Old English and subsequently into Middle English, where it was adopted and adapted into various forms.

The use of Glenn in English-speaking contexts can be traced back to the 19th century, although its Gaelic origins suggest a much earlier connection to the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Celtic peoples. Historically, the name Glenn has been associated with various figures in literature and folklore, particularly within Scottish and Irish traditions.

It is often linked to the picturesque valleys of the British Isles, which have been celebrated in poetry and song. The name gained further recognition through its use in notable works and by prominent individuals, particularly during the 20th century.

While not directly tied to any biblical figures or saints, the name's connection to the natural world has given it a certain timeless quality that resonates with themes of beauty and tranquility. Culturally, Glenn has been embraced in various forms of art and literature, often symbolizing peace and serenity associated with valleys.

The name has also inspired diminutive forms, such as Glen, which further emphasize its geographical connotation. The enduring appeal of Glenn can be attributed to its simplicity and the positive imagery it evokes, making it a name that has maintained significance across generations.

Its association with nature and the landscape has allowed it to remain a meaningful choice within various cultural contexts.

Famous people named Glenn

In this section, you will find notable people named Glenn. 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 Glenn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Glenn 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.

Glenn Close is an actress best known for Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Wife.

Glenn Frey is a musician best known as a founding member of the Eagles and for songs like Hotel California and Take It Easy.

Glenn Beck is a political commentator and television host best known for The Glenn Beck Program and founding TheBlaze.

Glenn Danzig is a musician best known as the founder of the Misfits and for his solo work, including Mother.

Glenn Hoddle is a former footballer and manager best known for his time at Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team.

Fictional characters named Glenn

The following list of fictional characters named Glenn 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.

Glenn Rhee is a fictional character from the comic book series and TV show The Walking Dead. He is a resourceful and brave member of the survivor group, known for his quick thinking and strong moral compass.

Glenn Quagmire is a fictional character from the animated television series Family Guy. He is a womanizing airline pilot known for his catchphrase 'Giggity' and humorous antics.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Glenn, 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 Glenn. 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 Glenn was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Glenn has ranked as high as #114 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Glenn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Glenn 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 Glenn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Glenn (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 15
21%
TX 13
18%
MD 7
10%
NY 7
10%
OH 7
10%
FL 7
10%
MA 6
8%
PA 6
8%
IL 5
7%

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 Glenn.

YearBirths
2024138
2023110
2022127
2021125
2020124
2019127
2018150
2017142
2016173
2015165
2014161
2013163
2012181
2011163
2010189
2009175
2008246
2007260
2006237
2005261
2004297
2003296
2002321
2001302
2000335
1999397
1998440
1997461
1996483
1995529
1994554
1993653
1992696
1991843
1990852
1989912
1988926
1987988
1986982
19851,004
19841,023
19831,016
19821,088
19811,107
19801,143
19791,118
19781,121
19771,245
19761,317
19751,383
19741,542
19731,702
19721,980
19712,475
19703,008
19693,468
19683,245
19673,440
19663,667
19654,358
19644,752
19635,974
19627,358
19616,269
19605,565
19595,351
19585,461
19576,267
19566,196
19556,258
19546,240
19535,727
19525,944
19515,803
19505,465
19495,414
19484,740
19475,157
19463,892
19452,734
19442,850
19433,053
19422,888
19412,523
19402,465
19392,303
19382,367
19372,263
19362,328
19352,437
19342,341
19332,366
19322,435
19312,624
19302,758
19292,433
19282,603
19272,670
19262,635
19252,611
19242,586
19232,370
19222,425
19212,449
19202,375
19192,153
19182,253
19171,997
19161,970
19151,842
19141,327
19131,122
1912948
1911343
1910349
1909261
1908247
1907234
1906217
1905189
1904217
1903198
1902185
1901180
1900194
1899161
1898178
1897171
1896174
1895150
1894142
1893131
1892139
1891138
1890117
1889103
1888110
188786
188699
188568
188461
188365
188251
188145
188043