Glenn Boy
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 | |
| TX | 13 | |
| MD | 7 | |
| NY | 7 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| MA | 6 | |
| PA | 6 | |
| IL | 5 |
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.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 138 |
| 2023 | 110 |
| 2022 | 127 |
| 2021 | 125 |
| 2020 | 124 |
| 2019 | 127 |
| 2018 | 150 |
| 2017 | 142 |
| 2016 | 173 |
| 2015 | 165 |
| 2014 | 161 |
| 2013 | 163 |
| 2012 | 181 |
| 2011 | 163 |
| 2010 | 189 |
| 2009 | 175 |
| 2008 | 246 |
| 2007 | 260 |
| 2006 | 237 |
| 2005 | 261 |
| 2004 | 297 |
| 2003 | 296 |
| 2002 | 321 |
| 2001 | 302 |
| 2000 | 335 |
| 1999 | 397 |
| 1998 | 440 |
| 1997 | 461 |
| 1996 | 483 |
| 1995 | 529 |
| 1994 | 554 |
| 1993 | 653 |
| 1992 | 696 |
| 1991 | 843 |
| 1990 | 852 |
| 1989 | 912 |
| 1988 | 926 |
| 1987 | 988 |
| 1986 | 982 |
| 1985 | 1,004 |
| 1984 | 1,023 |
| 1983 | 1,016 |
| 1982 | 1,088 |
| 1981 | 1,107 |
| 1980 | 1,143 |
| 1979 | 1,118 |
| 1978 | 1,121 |
| 1977 | 1,245 |
| 1976 | 1,317 |
| 1975 | 1,383 |
| 1974 | 1,542 |
| 1973 | 1,702 |
| 1972 | 1,980 |
| 1971 | 2,475 |
| 1970 | 3,008 |
| 1969 | 3,468 |
| 1968 | 3,245 |
| 1967 | 3,440 |
| 1966 | 3,667 |
| 1965 | 4,358 |
| 1964 | 4,752 |
| 1963 | 5,974 |
| 1962 | 7,358 |
| 1961 | 6,269 |
| 1960 | 5,565 |
| 1959 | 5,351 |
| 1958 | 5,461 |
| 1957 | 6,267 |
| 1956 | 6,196 |
| 1955 | 6,258 |
| 1954 | 6,240 |
| 1953 | 5,727 |
| 1952 | 5,944 |
| 1951 | 5,803 |
| 1950 | 5,465 |
| 1949 | 5,414 |
| 1948 | 4,740 |
| 1947 | 5,157 |
| 1946 | 3,892 |
| 1945 | 2,734 |
| 1944 | 2,850 |
| 1943 | 3,053 |
| 1942 | 2,888 |
| 1941 | 2,523 |
| 1940 | 2,465 |
| 1939 | 2,303 |
| 1938 | 2,367 |
| 1937 | 2,263 |
| 1936 | 2,328 |
| 1935 | 2,437 |
| 1934 | 2,341 |
| 1933 | 2,366 |
| 1932 | 2,435 |
| 1931 | 2,624 |
| 1930 | 2,758 |
| 1929 | 2,433 |
| 1928 | 2,603 |
| 1927 | 2,670 |
| 1926 | 2,635 |
| 1925 | 2,611 |
| 1924 | 2,586 |
| 1923 | 2,370 |
| 1922 | 2,425 |
| 1921 | 2,449 |
| 1920 | 2,375 |
| 1919 | 2,153 |
| 1918 | 2,253 |
| 1917 | 1,997 |
| 1916 | 1,970 |
| 1915 | 1,842 |
| 1914 | 1,327 |
| 1913 | 1,122 |
| 1912 | 948 |
| 1911 | 343 |
| 1910 | 349 |
| 1909 | 261 |
| 1908 | 247 |
| 1907 | 234 |
| 1906 | 217 |
| 1905 | 189 |
| 1904 | 217 |
| 1903 | 198 |
| 1902 | 185 |
| 1901 | 180 |
| 1900 | 194 |
| 1899 | 161 |
| 1898 | 178 |
| 1897 | 171 |
| 1896 | 174 |
| 1895 | 150 |
| 1894 | 142 |
| 1893 | 131 |
| 1892 | 139 |
| 1891 | 138 |
| 1890 | 117 |
| 1889 | 103 |
| 1888 | 110 |
| 1887 | 86 |
| 1886 | 99 |
| 1885 | 68 |
| 1884 | 61 |
| 1883 | 65 |
| 1882 | 51 |
| 1881 | 45 |
| 1880 | 43 |