Larkin Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LAR-kin /ˈlɑːrkɪn/
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'fierce'; English: 'lark'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Larkin has its roots in the Old French name "Larcin," which is derived from the Latin "Laurentius," meaning "from Laurentum" or "laurelled." The name entered the English language through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it evolved into various forms, including Larkin. The suffix "-kin" is a diminutive form in Middle English, often used to denote a sense of endearment or smallness, which adds a layer of affection to the name.
Thus, Larkin can be interpreted as "little Larcin" or "little Laurence." Historically, the name Larkin has been associated with several notable figures. In the medieval period, it was not uncommon for surnames to transition into given names, and Larkin was among those that gained traction.
The name appears in various historical records, including church documents and land grants, particularly in England during the 13th and 14th centuries. It is also worth noting that the name has connections to the Irish surname "O'Leathlobhair," which translates to "descendant of Leathlobhar," further enriching its historical significance.
Culturally, Larkin has resonated in literature and the arts, notably through the works of the 20th-century English poet Philip Larkin, who, while not directly related to the name's etymology, contributed to its recognition in modern literary contexts. The name evokes a sense of tradition and has been embraced in various forms across cultures, often symbolizing resilience and a connection to heritage.
The diminutive "Lark" may also be used affectionately, reflecting the name's enduring charm and adaptability throughout history.
Famous people named Larkin
In this section, you will find notable people named Larkin. 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 Larkin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Larkin 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.
Larkin Poe is a musical duo best known for their albums Venom & Faith, Kindred Spirits, and Self Made Man.
Larkin St. John is a writer best known for her novels and contributions to various literary magazines.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Larkin, 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 Larkin. 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 Larkin was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Larkin has ranked as high as #2597 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in Ohio, Texas, California, Michigan, and Kentucky.
In the past 5 years the name Larkin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Larkin 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 Larkin 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 Larkin.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75 | 34 | 41 |
| 2024 | 87 | 43 | 44 |
| 2023 | 95 | 46 | 49 |
| 2022 | 102 | 39 | 63 |
| 2021 | 109 | 44 | 65 |
| 2020 | 132 | 46 | 86 |
| 2019 | 151 | 64 | 87 |
| 2018 | 155 | 58 | 97 |
| 2017 | 152 | 56 | 96 |
| 2016 | 149 | 56 | 93 |
| 2015 | 127 | 43 | 84 |
| 2014 | 121 | 36 | 85 |
| 2013 | 99 | 36 | 63 |
| 2012 | 77 | 21 | 56 |
| 2011 | 75 | 30 | 45 |
| 2010 | 92 | 25 | 67 |
| 2009 | 105 | 33 | 72 |
| 2008 | 99 | 20 | 79 |
| 2007 | 122 | 27 | 95 |
| 2006 | 136 | 21 | 115 |
| 2005 | 58 | 28 | 30 |
| 2004 | 45 | 14 | 31 |
| 2003 | 51 | 22 | 29 |
| 2002 | 47 | 16 | 31 |
| 2001 | 43 | 13 | 30 |
| 2000 | 51 | 25 | 26 |
| 1999 | 33 | 13 | 20 |
| 1998 | 37 | 16 | 21 |
| 1997 | 35 | 14 | 21 |
| 1996 | 35 | 16 | 19 |
| 1995 | 23 | 13 | 10 |
| 1994 | 28 | 10 | 18 |
| 1993 | 32 | 16 | 16 |
| 1992 | 29 | 12 | 17 |
| 1991 | 27 | 17 | 10 |
| 1990 | 25 | 12 | 13 |
| 1989 | 27 | 11 | 16 |
| 1988 | 27 | 11 | 16 |
| 1987 | 31 | 13 | 18 |
| 1986 | 19 | 9 | 10 |
| 1985 | 26 | 13 | 13 |
| 1984 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 1983 | 20 | 9 | 11 |
| 1982 | 28 | 12 | 16 |
| 1981 | 18 | 9 | 9 |
| 1980 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 1979 | 17 | 9 | 8 |
| 1978 | 22 | 16 | 6 |
| 1977 | 25 | 17 | 8 |
| 1976 | 19 | 14 | 5 |
| 1975 | 17 | 7 | 10 |
| 1974 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 1973 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1972 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 1971 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1970 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1969 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1968 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1967 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1966 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| 1965 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1964 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1963 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1962 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1961 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1960 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1959 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| 1958 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1957 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1956 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1955 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1954 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1953 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1952 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1951 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1950 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1949 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1948 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1947 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1946 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1945 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1944 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1943 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1942 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1941 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1940 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1939 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1938 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1937 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1936 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1935 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1934 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1933 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1932 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1931 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1930 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1929 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1928 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1927 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1926 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1925 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1924 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1923 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1922 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1921 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1920 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1919 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1918 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1917 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1916 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1915 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1914 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1913 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1912 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1911 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1910 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1909 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1908 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1906 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1905 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1903 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1902 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1899 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1898 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1895 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1894 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1893 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1892 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1890 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1889 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1888 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1886 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1885 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1884 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1883 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1882 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1881 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1880 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
Top States for Larkin (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 |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 12 | |
| CA | 5 |