Glenn Boy

Popularity: #814 · 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.

GrantGrahamGideonGavinGlennaGloria

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.

GlenGlenwoodGlenmoreGlenisGlenfordGlennonGlenysGlenville

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Glenn was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Glenn has ranked as high as #116 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 124 124 0
2024 139 139 0
2023 110 110 0
2022 127 127 0
2021 125 125 0
2020 124 124 0
2019 127 127 0
2018 150 150 0
2017 143 143 0
2016 173 173 0
2015 165 165 0
2014 161 161 0
2013 163 163 0
2012 181 181 0
2011 163 163 0
2010 189 189 0
2009 175 175 0
2008 246 246 0
2007 260 260 0
2006 237 237 0
2005 261 261 0
2004 297 297 0
2003 296 296 0
2002 321 321 0
2001 307 302 5
2000 335 335 0
1999 409 397 12
1998 440 440 0
1997 472 461 11
1996 495 483 12
1995 538 529 9
1994 563 554 9
1993 670 653 17
1992 707 696 11
1991 855 843 12
1990 866 852 14
1989 930 912 18
1988 937 926 11
1987 998 988 10
1986 996 982 14
1985 1,024 1,004 20
1984 1,028 1,023 5
1983 1,027 1,016 11
1982 1,096 1,088 8
1981 1,115 1,107 8
1980 1,154 1,143 11
1979 1,128 1,118 10
1978 1,127 1,120 7
1977 1,256 1,245 11
1976 1,323 1,317 6
1975 1,397 1,383 14
1974 1,561 1,542 19
1973 1,714 1,702 12
1972 1,994 1,979 15
1971 2,489 2,474 15
1970 3,031 3,008 23
1969 3,487 3,467 20
1968 3,260 3,246 14
1967 3,456 3,440 16
1966 3,693 3,668 25
1965 4,369 4,355 14
1964 4,774 4,752 22
1963 6,000 5,977 23
1962 7,389 7,356 33
1961 6,304 6,271 33
1960 5,585 5,563 22
1959 5,391 5,352 39
1958 5,489 5,462 27
1957 6,301 6,267 34
1956 6,233 6,196 37
1955 6,277 6,258 19
1954 6,260 6,240 20
1953 5,755 5,726 29
1952 5,966 5,945 21
1951 5,828 5,803 25
1950 5,496 5,465 31
1949 5,440 5,415 25
1948 4,775 4,740 35
1947 5,182 5,157 25
1946 3,917 3,892 25
1945 2,748 2,734 14
1944 2,866 2,849 17
1943 3,087 3,054 33
1942 2,912 2,888 24
1941 2,546 2,523 23
1940 2,480 2,465 15
1939 2,317 2,303 14
1938 2,382 2,367 15
1937 2,289 2,263 26
1936 2,346 2,328 18
1935 2,458 2,437 21
1934 2,367 2,341 26
1933 2,390 2,366 24
1932 2,453 2,435 18
1931 2,638 2,624 14
1930 2,799 2,758 41
1929 2,472 2,433 39
1928 2,631 2,603 28
1927 2,707 2,670 37
1926 2,662 2,635 27
1925 2,659 2,611 48
1924 2,617 2,586 31
1923 2,408 2,370 38
1922 2,444 2,425 19
1921 2,481 2,449 32
1920 2,401 2,375 26
1919 2,173 2,153 20
1918 2,281 2,253 28
1917 2,024 1,997 27
1916 2,004 1,970 34
1915 1,870 1,842 28
1914 1,348 1,327 21
1913 1,142 1,122 20
1912 959 948 11
1911 355 343 12
1910 357 349 8
1909 271 261 10
1908 264 247 17
1907 241 234 7
1906 230 217 13
1905 203 189 14
1904 225 217 8
1903 203 198 5
1902 193 185 8
1901 190 180 10
1900 214 194 20
1899 173 161 12
1898 190 178 12
1897 181 171 10
1896 187 174 13
1895 173 150 23
1894 148 142 6
1893 138 131 7
1892 150 139 11
1891 150 138 12
1890 128 117 11
1889 110 103 7
1888 118 110 8
1887 91 86 5
1886 105 99 6
1885 77 68 9
1884 67 61 6
1883 70 65 5
1882 51 51 0
1881 50 45 5
1880 48 43 5

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. 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 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%